Smooth Billiard with Silver Tobacco Pipe

While I've seen some light, lean classics made by Hans "Former" Nielsen over time, this straight Billiard is a standout. Less lean and more muscular in its features, it takes a traditional shape and imbues it with some of his robust style of shaping. The upright bowl is softly-rounded, but with an extra touch of plumpness near the base; the shank is more stout than some of the classical interpretations in the Danish school; even the sterling silver band is given a touch of extra weight at the end of the shank. All of this, and yet, the underlying form is as recognizable as ever, each detail forming a coherent whole, upon which a warm stain can draw the briar's grain to the forefront, allowing it center stage. "Charming" is the word I'd use — not just visually, but in hand.