Stanwell (c.1980s) Danish Star 108 Smooth Horn Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Stanwell is one of Denmark’s most celebrated and enduring pipe companies, having been founded by Poul Nielsen shortly after the second world war. Over the last six decades, Stanwell has established itself as both a leader in innovative Danish design and for producing well-priced pipes with precision construction and engineering. Many of its designs were created for the company by iconic pipe-makers in the Scandinavian scene, such as Sixten Ivarsson, Anne Julie, Jess Chonowitsch, and Tom Eltang.

The “108” is a rather rare Stanwell shape, to the extent that I have wondered how long it must have been in production for. As far as catalogs go, appears in one from the 1980s, during a time when Stanwell was celebrating 40 years in the industry, though nowhere else that I’ve seen. Regardless of how long Stanwell made the “108” for, though, it’s undoubtedly been discontinued for many years, like so many great Stanwell shapes.

The shape itself is a strikingly supple take on the Danish horn, with Tom Eltang attributed as its designer. Looking at the cutty and horn renditions Eltang has made under his own name, there are notable similarities in approach to form and figure especially when viewed in profile. I’d estimate this one to have been made at some point in the 1980s, following the retirement of Stanwell’s trademark registration number stamp.

The condition is very good. Slight inner rim darkening, a couple of very small scratches on the bowl, and some light tooth chatter.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g