Randy Wiley Large Feather Carved Freehand (Estate)

Beginning his career as a pipe maker in the 1970s, Randy Wiley was a key figure in the new wave of American artisans in the late-20th century pipe scene—and still is today, five decades later. Though he does make some “traditional” pieces, he is, arguably America’s greatest living carver of “freehand” pipes, comparable to Denmark’s Preben Holm or Erik Nording in their prime. And, like Holm and Nording, Wiley has an array of signature finishes at his disposal, resulting in designs that occasionally border on the figural.

Randy Wiley’s Feather Carved series employs a signature, partially rusticated finish, in the form of—as one might imagine—feather motifs around the bowl. It is essentially a rather ornate spot carving technique, i.e., a small roughing of the briar in places where the grain displays a minor, cosmetic imperfection. This allows bowls that have otherwise exemplary grain to be preserved, instead of simply sandblasting or rusticating them in their entirety. Looking at this large, flame grained specimen, it would indeed have been a shame to waste the beautiful patterning it has to offer.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim darkening and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.9″ / 175.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.76″ / 44.70mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 76g