Moonlight Pipes “Fossil” Smooth Volcano w/ Ebonite Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

While some pipe-makers take inspiration from the natural world, or from the technologies of present and past, few of them in the contemporary seek to represent these forms in their work. Czech artisan Ondrej Bárta of Moonlight pipes does just that, in a way that recalls the intricate, figural carvings of briar pipes from the turn of the 20th century. But Ondrej also departs from the figural approach of early briar pipes by combining it with high-grade materials and a careful attention to grain patterns that is far more modern.

Upon receiving this pipe from Ondrej Bárta I wondered if he might have stepped back from his figural inclinations and crafted something more “traditional” as far as artisan pipes go, but a closer inspection soon revealed a hidden secret that made sure this pipe was a Moonlight through and through. A slightly squat, flame grain volcano with a camouflage-themed cumberland ferrule, the pipe immediately strikes as not dissimilar from something Poul Winslow might make. Yet “under the volcano,” as one might say, on the pipe’s right flank, is stowed an intricate figural carving of an ammonite fossil. Bárta’s positioning and representation of the ammonite shell creates the impression of something freshly unearthed, still tethered to the ground it was unearthed from, and adds a highly unique touch to what is already a very beautiful piece.

 

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.59″ / 40.38mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g