Danish Estates: Tao Smooth Bulldog with Silver (A) (9mm) Tobacco Pipe

Rendered in compact, muscular proportions, this Bulldog from Jens "Tao" Nielsen fits in well with other similar renditions of the classic shape. Boasting an "A" grade for superior craftsmanship, high quality briar, and other accoutrements, it boasts a gently domed rim, twin beadlines, and a sharply angled heel that resembles that of a ship's prow with perhaps a bit more crispness. The Danish carver spent several years at sea as a sailor, so his shaping aesthetic often reflects the practicality necessary to that lifestyle, rendering pieces in pocket-friendly proportions as seen here. The diamond shank's crisp lines extend through said heel and extend upward into the lower flanks, forming a panel of sorts, while an uncommonly seen accent band of silver separates the shank from the bright yellow, tapering stem. The stummel is dressed in a warm walnut stain, presenting fetching whorls of birdseye covering the rim and underside, with fiery licks of flame displayed on either flank.