Ben Wade Golden Matt Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

While Ben Wade was a historic British pipe brand, for a time during the 1970s, production of Ben Wade pipes was contracted out to one of Danish pipe-making’s superstars: Preben Holm. Though he would tragically pass away at the age of 42, Holm was one of the pioneering figures in the ‘Danish design’ movement in 20th century pipe-making, a movement that still dominates the high-grade pipe scene. By hand-shaping his pipes on a belt sander, Holm was able to make the most of the patterns of grain hidden within briar, creating spectacular works of pipe art that looked just as good as they smoked. Owing to Holm’s untimely passing, his pipes are even more highly sought after than they were during his lifetime.

As far as Danish pipe makers go, there are few who managed to pull off a golden contrast stain quite like Preben Holm. Tom Eltang is, of course, one obvious competitor, but within the freehand genre at least, Preben Holm was more or less unrivaled. This Golden Matt freehand uses its contrast stain to a stunning effect, pairing as it does the bowl’s contrasting hues with the beautiful straight grain underneath.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening and very minor bowl scratches.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 1.06 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.81″ / 45.97mm

Weight: 2.0oz / 58g