Sven Lar 2GS Smooth Vase Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

Sven Lar was the name used by a workshop headed by American freehand carver Michael Kabik. Kabik got his start as one of the earliest freehand carvers in the United States, working for CHP-X Pipes, owned by Chuck Holiday, in the early-1970s. After CHP-X was forced to close, Kabik was approached with the offer of heading a new workshop in Virginia, which ultimately took on the name Sven Lar. As with many American freehand carvers, Kabik was especially influenced by the greats of Danish post-war pipe-making, including Anne Julie, who spent time with Kabik, passing on the techniques of the trade.

I have noted before that Michael Kabik’s prior vocation and training—that of a sculptor—is often apparent in his briar-based works, with the result being that his pipes often have a rather artistic quality to them. After all, it’s easy enough to carve freehand pipes during a boom for such designs, but Kabik seems to have been quite concerned with keeping them interesting, rather than just churning out war clubs. This one is nicely grained, as a freehand should be, but it’s also a little unusual, with a slightly vase-like figure, and a pronounced, almost balletic “foot” at its base. It’s nicely large too, with a more than ample chamber capacity.

The condition is good. Some inner rim darkening and some scratches on the bowl.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 2.0oz / 58g