Danish Estates: Teddy Knudsen Smooth Elephant's Foot Tobacco Pipe

It's not often we see an estate piece from Teddy Knudsen: his work being so highly sought after and ranking among the pipes crafted by the likes of Jess Chonowitsch, the Ivarssons, and Hans "Former" Nielsen. Pipe making is a craft that Knudsen has been at for decades, crafting his first pipes in 1967 while in the Danish Air Force for his fellow soldiers. He began his professional pipe making career in the 1970s, and his vast experience and knowledge can be seen in every one of his painstakingly rendered shapes. He follows in the classic Danish tradition of creating high-functioning, high-quality works of smokeable art, and perhaps no other design epitomizes his craft better than this Elephant's Foot.

A firm, yet lightweight design, this piece boasts a lively curvature across the bowl, with the paneled flanks creating a concave profile. The shank flares out of the transition above the pointed heel, before giving way to a saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite that arcs for a comfortable smoking posture. The color of the stem complements the chestnut finish of the stummel, which highlights some lively cross grain across the bowl that accentuates the bowl's robust shaping. It's a bold, elegant design, and it will no doubt make a welcome addition to any collector's rotation, especially those with a keen eye for graceful Freehand designs.