Ferndown Bark Bent Billiard w/ Silver Spigot Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Ferndown pipes were made by the legendary British pipe maker Leslie “Les” John Wood, along with his wife Dolly. Both Les and Dolly previously worked for Dunhill, where Les developed his skills and reputation as Britain’s premier pipe silversmith. After leaving Dunhill, Les and Dolly began making their own pipes, with their combined knowledge and experience, yielding pipes of a quality that, arguably, exceeded even that of their former employer. Ferndown pipes are highly coveted by pipe smokers due to their superlative craftsman(and woman!)ship, being constructed from high-grade, oil-cured briar, hand cut ebonite, and, in many cases, sterling silver or solid gold ornamentation turned by Les himself. Les and Dolly retired from pipe-making in 2016, making Ferndown pipes rather scarce – especially given how difficult it is to get their owners to part with them.

Though often overlooked in pipe making, rustication is an art unto itself, and few can claim to have demonstrated this fact so successfully as Leslie and Dolly Wood of Ferndown. But as with all arts, it is also one that can be suffered for. The “Barking” technique used to Les and Dolly in crafting their rusticated pipes involved pressing a stummel against a split drill as it span at several hundred RPM, creating an inimitable finish, as well as plenty of digital lacerations. But, as the market for Ferndown’s “Bark” line would show, it was well worth it. This rather large Bark takes the form of a classic bent billiard, though one dressed in the now-equally classic Ferndown style. Along with its “Barked” exterior, the pipe features Leslie’s signature hand-turned silver mountings, with a sterling spigot mount connecting its bowl and hand cut vulcanite stem.

The condition is very good. Minor rim darkening. This pipe comes with its original box and sleeve, which is very rare, but more than welcome to see.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g