Bjarne Hand Carved Smooth Freehand Sitter Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Bjarne Nielsen was one of the towering figures of Danish pipe-making until his passing in 2008. As the founder of Bjarne, Nielsen employed talented pipe makers from Denmark to produce distinctly Danish pipes and sold them to a devoted international audience. Among those in his employ were figures such as Mogens Johansen (also known as Johs), Ph. Vigen, Ole Bandholm and Tonni Nielsen. Though Bjarne pipes are no longer manufactured, they are still in good demand by those who enjoy well-made pipes in the tradition of Danish design.

Though all freehand pipes are, by definition, unique, and though Bjarne prided himself in offering pipes that were each “as individual as your finger prints,” there were certain noticeable quirks and proclivities in Bjarne pipes. In the case of the Signature grade, Bjarne Nielsen pipes, these were often quite evident, being hallmarks of the rather idiosyncratic artisans who carved them (such as Ph. Vigen and Tonni Nielsen). In the case of the Bjarne freehands of the “Danish Fancy” variety, however, there were also common themes. One of them, which is on full display with this pipe, was that of a sitter, but with a steeply upright posture that bordered on the balletic. This one could pass for a “freehand cavalier,” for instance, with the only thing more striking than its form being the beautiful straight grain that form was rendered to fully accommodate.

The condition is very good. Some minor wear to the inner rim and chamber slightly over-reamed, though nothing major.

Details:

Length: 5.9″ / 149.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.96 / 24.38mm

Bowl Depth: 1.60″ /40.64mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g