WO Larsen Partially Rusticated Paneled Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

WO 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.

Like the Italians and the Irish, the Danes had their own, distinct approaches to rustication. Though I’m not sure of its precise origins, the type of fine, micro-rustication seen here was brought to prominence by Peter Brakner, through his own approach to high-grade handmade pipes. [What was at one point named] WO Larsen’s Rustica line blended smooth and micro-rusticated finishes to great effect, typically either in the form of a “fumed” style rim, or, as in the case of this one, a textured base, adding an ergonomic element to the motif. As for shaping, while it is distinctly Danish, I can’t help but see a little bit of those early, slender, paneled French briars in the design of this one—then again, the Danish tradition did begin as a series of loving homages to Anglo-French pipes.

The condition is good. Some rim charring and minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.7″ / 170.18mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.51″ / 38.35mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g