Bjarne XL Partially Rusticated Bulldog 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.

I learned recently that, among the pipe makers once employed by Bjarne Nielsen, one was none other than Poul Ilsted. There is certainly something Ilsted-ian about the shaping of this bulldog, especially when compared to the ones he designed and made at WO Larsen, though the finishing is more in the style of Mogens Johansen. Perhaps it was a team effort? Or simply the product of a great influence. Who knows. A beautiful pipe, nonetheless, with a distinctly Danish shaping and partial rustication in the style first inaugurated by one of the nation’s pipe making godfathers, Peter Brakner.

The condition is very good. Minor finish fading and stem slightly over-buffed.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.66″ / 42.16mm

Weight: 2.5oz / 72g