Moonlight Pipes “Termitarium” 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.

Though their origins are to be found in Scandinavian pipe making, so-called “surfing” shapes have a distinct place within the Czech artisan scene. One need look no further than its most prominent figures today, such as Biftek, Martin Cermak, and Eclesias, to see that “surf’s up” even in the landlocked Czech Republic. Ondrej Bárta is another notable Czech artisan to incorporate this flat, wide motif into his works, though his renditions are decidedly different. While there are whispers of Bo Nordh and his Ramses, or the Katana of Valery Ryzhenko, in this pipe, Bárta’s figural predilections are its defining properties. Developing on his earlier “Termite” rustication, expressing themes of ecological inter-relationships and the impermanence of all things, this one has been carefully carved into the most unique cavalier design I’ve seen since those of Tokutomi. Funnily enough, much like Tokutomi’s cavaliers—and quite remarkably—this one is also a sitter.

 

Details:

Length: 7.5″ / 190.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.44″ / 36.57mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g