Vollmer & Nilsson Smooth Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Other Estates

Description

Though modern, artisan pipe making is often referred to as “Danish” in style, the individuals at the forefront of this design movement have instead often hailed from a little further north. I am, of course, talking about Sweden, the country that gave the pipe making world such legendary figures as Sixten Ivarsson, Bo Nordh, Bjorn Bengtsson, Bengt Carlson, and Love Geiger and Sara Mossberg. It is hard to overstate the impact that Swedes have had on artisan pipe making as we know it and, as a consequence, how treasured the works of such pipe makers are.

Half-brothers Martin Vollmer and Anders Nilsson are another two names worthy of adding to the list of highly sought after Swedish masters. Though Nilsson originally trained as a chemical engineer and Vollmer as a theologian, the two ultimately pursued a different path: pipe making. And, curiously enough, they decided to do so in a partnership, via the Vollmer & Nilsson make. Inspired by the pipes of Ivarsson, Nordh, and Bengtsson, the two would soon prove themselves more than capable of crafting beautifully grained Scandinavian-style pipes in the vein of their heroes, though it should also be mentioned that Vollmer & Nilsson are also renowned for their renditions of more traditional shapes, inspired by the likes of Barling, Comoy’s, and Loewe & Co.

This particular pipe is somewhere between the two in aesthetic. A distinctive take on the brandy shape, the pipe features a rather curious, almost checkmark-like side profile, along with a half-saddle ebonite mouthpiece. Needless to say, the grain is exemplary, with a slight contrast finish accentuating the vertical striations lining the pipe’s bowl, and igniting the bursts of bird’s-eye running the length of its underside.

The condition is very good. Slight wear to the rim and minor finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.70 / 17.78mm

Bowl Depth: 1.75″ / 44.45mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g