Fikri Baki Large Paneled Cherrywood Sitter with Acrylic and Cumberland (Estate)

Unlike their counterparts in the world of briar, the artisans who carve meerschaum pipes are seldom known by name. Only a very small percentage of such carvers rise to a level of mastery and recognition that leads to their pipes being explicitly attributed to them. At any given outlet, you might find a pipe signed or tied to someone like Bekler, Tekin, Kenan, or Sabri, but most will simply carry the company brand, in a manner closer to factory pipe manufacture and sales.

Fikri Baki Cetekinkaya, known simply as Fikri Baki, or F. Baki, first began carving meerschaum pipes in 1969 and is today known as one of the all-time greats in his field. This is not just for his ability to carve meerschaum, but also his pioneering skills in applying techniques and materials used in briar pipes to his meerschaums. This included not just silverware, but also bamboo and ebonite, which he hand-cut for his pipes. Baki also spent time studying pipe making with the legendary German artisan Rainer Barbi (the latter being best known for his briars, but who also dabbled in meerschaum). In recent times, in part due to exclusivity arrangements, Baki pipes have become increasingly difficult to acquire in the West, much to the chagrin of his many admirers.

In the case of this Baki, it’s a rather unusual, meerschaum rendition of a cherrywood, though as is typical of Baki’s work, the genre of cherrywood the pipe belongs to is decidedly modern, with a distinctly Danish tinge. Stacked, paneled, and slightly “tipsy” in posture, it’s an impressive feat of engineering that Baki ensured that the pipe would be a sturdy sitter, though it’s hardly surprising given his reputation. As is also quite typical of Baki’s pipes, this one is fitted with a hand-cut cumberland mouthpiece, which sits securely in an ivory-like acrylic mount.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and slight handling marks. This pipe comes with its original fitted case.

Details:

Length: 6.8″ / 172.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.94″ / 49.27mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g