Nording 2009 Hunting Pipe Smooth Panel Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Nørding was founded by Erik Nørding in the 1960s, and is one of the oldest remaining companies to come out of the Scandinavian pipe-making renaissance that began in the mid-20th century. Now in his 80s, Erik Nørding is one of the most experienced and skilled pipe-makers in the world, and over the decades he has also been a teacher of other Danish masters, such as Poul Ilsted, Svend Axel Celius, Jens Tao Nielsen, Peder Jeppesen, and Søren Erik Andersen.

Since 1995, Erik Nørding has created a limited edition pipe to celebrate his love of wildlife and the great outdoors. These are Nørding’s limited edition “Hunting” series, conceived in collaboration with Danish wildlife illustrator Mogens Andersen, with each drawing inspiration for its design for a particular animal. The 2009 design was based on the hare, and at first strikes as quite a peculiar design—albeit a very Danish one—given its subject matter. Yet if we look at the pipe from the side on, we see the intended resemblance. The mouthpiece, jutting out at a slight 1/8th bend, evokes the hare’s ears; the paneled bowl, on the other hand, captures its head, with its slightly flattened sides and elongated snout. It’s not a figure, but a diagram, one that captures the spirit of its subject through abstract lines and relations rather than a more direct imitation (Erik Nording’s own Duck Head pipes would be nearer to the latter). Expertly done, I’d say.

The condition is good. Some rim charring and slight tooth chatter.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.60″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g