GBD Unique Natural Freehand Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, became a maker most associated with classic ‘British’ pipes. Founded in 1850 by the French trio Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger, the brand was bought by English company Oppenheimer at the beginning of the 20th century, who opened factories in London and Paris to meet an increasing demand for the make’s high-quality and highly desirable pipes. Partly owing to the make’s inventive, yet traditional shapes, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes are particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments.

While GBD is known as one of the great pipes makes in the Anglo-French tradition, there is one GBD line that became particularly coveted by smokers and collectors, despite breaking with that tradition almost entirely. This line is, of course, the GBD Unique, each of which was—as the name suggests—wholly distinct in design and unlike anything on a classical shape chart. These pipes were instead carved freehand, allowing for more modern compositions, but they were also predominantly carved by Horry Jamieson, a veteran English pipe-maker who had spent years working for GBD, and for Barling before that. Likely as a consequence, Jamieson’s Unique pipes did not typically follow the style of the “fancy” freehands associated with post-war Danish carvers, such as Preben Holm, instead incorporating and reinterpreting elements and motifs from more “traditional” pipe design. This Unique, for example, is a playful reimagining of the classic bulldog, and may well be more appropriate to its namesake given the two “jowls” that sit at the bottom of each flank. A line of ornate spot carvings at the shank end (something Jamieson had utilized during his previous employment at Barling) is another interesting addition, taking on an almost floral character that winds its way over and under the stummel.
On a side note, the nomenclature and brass “GBD” stem inlay indicate this to be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger make.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and residual stem oxidation.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.99 / 25.14mm

Bowl Depth: 1.83″ / 46.48mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g