Sven Lar Skulptur by Michael Kabik 3 Partially Rusticated Dublin (Estate)

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.”

In the case of this one, the shaping is essentially one of a large, modern Dublin—perhaps inspired by the Danish greats Kabik was familiar with—with a hand-carved finish almost like the popular Italian “wax drip” motif. Kabik seems to have been quite fond of this finish, as it appears throughout his work.

The condition is good. Minor darkening and finish fading on the rim, chamber slightly over-reamed, and a couple of small scratches.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.92 / 23.36mm

Bowl Depth: 1.60″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g