WO Larsen (1960s; Sven Knudsen Design) De Luxe 72 Smooth Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

W.O. Larsen was a tobacconist in Copenhagen Denmark. In the 1960s, when Danish-style pipes were becoming highly sought after, thanks to revolutionary pipe-makers such as Sixten Ivarsson, a workshop was set up on the Larsen premises to produce enough high-grade Danish pipes to meet demand. This workshop was staffed by the emerging masters of Danish pipe-making, such as Sven and Teddy Knudsen, Hans ‘Former’ Nielsen, Jess Chonowitsch, Poul Ilsted, and Benni Jorgensen.

When the W.O. Larsen workshop was set up in the 1960s, many of the designs carved by its staff were created by its first foreman, Sven Knudsen. These designs had already made waves for Knudsen as an artisan selling them through W.O. Larsen and Pibe-Dan (later known as Pipe Dan), so it makes sense that Knudsen would draw upon them once he had a whole team to help make them. This early W.O. Larsen pipe is one such example. Simply named the “Square Bowl” when Knudsen first made them, the design ultimately became the Handmade No. 72 in the W.O. Larsen shape chart. As its initial name indicates, the pipe is distinguished by a diamond shank and bowl (the chamber itself is round), though it also bears affinities with other Dublin and bent shapes Knudsen was known for, both in his individual work and at the workshop.

The condition is good. Some slight inner rim darkening, a very small, dark patch at the edge of the rim, minor handling marks, and slightly faded (though legible) nomenclature.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 1.44″ / 36.57mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g