Danish Estates: Anne Julie Carved Rhodesian (2017) Tobacco Pipe

Anne Julie is a venerated legend in the world of Danish pipe making. She initially came to the craft through her marriage to Poul Rasmussen, and after his unfortunate passing, she took up the craft for herself. Since then, she's built a considerable reputation for herself, with her pipes greatly admired for their soft features, elegant lines, and stylish finishes. Perhaps as notable as her craftmanship, Julie is known for her tutelage of young carvers, being the first to offer a Tom Eltang an apprenticeship.

This Rhodesian is a particularly stylish take on the shape-chart standard. It features a pert bowl that's married to a demurely curved shank and a slender saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite. A wrapping, pronounced ridgeline demarcates the tapered rim from the rest of the bowl, while the lifted heel hoists the bowl upward, imbuing the overall composition with a touch of gestural momentum. A carved finish lends the briar a unique texture in-hand, and the inky black stain that's laid over top of it keeps the pipe subdued and shadowy in profile, save for small striations of the briar's natural color that peak through the dark stain. Bold, stylish, and eye-catching, this is a simply masterful bit of craftsmanship from Anne Julie, and it will surely become a favorite among any collector's rotation.