Sven Lar (Michael Kabik) Skulptur A Freehand Sitter 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’ve said before that, while Sven Lar’s output was relatively typical of its contemporary, nascent American freehand scene, it’s clear from the workshop’s output that Kabik was trained as a sculptor before turning to pipes. This would be true even if he didn’t have a line of pipes named Skulptur, which I’d presume is taken from the Danish word for—of course—”sculpture.” This one is a design so distinctive and multifaceted that I’d struggle to compare it to anyone, aside from perhaps Preben Holm and his Hallmark and Private Collection pieces. While freehands of this genre are typically highly naturalistic, this one is less evocative of geological or botanical forms than it is of animal life, almost appearing to be “walking” on its sitter legs (which is also not entirely unlike the “Walrus” shapes of Sven Knudsen). If there is such a thing as “pipe art,” this would be it, though without any detriment to its functionality.

The condition is very good. Very minor inner rim darkening and some slight, superficial scratches on the bowl’s front section.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.96″ / 49.78mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 74g