Danish Estates: Sixten Ivarsson Smooth Horn (1979) (Replacement Stem) Tobacco Pipe

Widely considered the father of artisan pipe making, Sixten Ivarsson pioneered the "shape first, drill second" methodology that is employed by countless artisans from all over the world. Ivarsson prioritized function above all else, viewing aesthetics as a complementary component to his pipes' engineering, design, and smoking capabilities. His style and philosophy influenced carvers like Jess Chonowitsch, Bo Nordh, Jorn Micke, and of course, Sixten's son and granddaughter, Lars and Nanna Ivarsson. This vintage Horn from 1979 is a gorgeous example of Ivarsson's sensibilities, and it showcases the Danish carver's ability to render shape-chart standards in a concise yet elegant manner.

Measuring less than five inches in total length, this piece is compact and lightweight, but even given its demure size, it retains the form's gestural and curvaceous build. The forward-canted bowl flares outward from a dramatically lifted heel and lends the overall composition an active, dynamic appearance in profile. The stretched, slightly compressed transition births a curling shank that expands subtly toward a demurely curved stem of jet-black vulcanite that was fashioned as a replacement for the original. The sinuous shank and stem reinforce the bowl's lively posture and keep the shape fluid and agile. Four crisp facets frame the bowl and, along with the panels around the shank, lend a touch of contrasting structure to the shape's otherwise supple figure. A warm, traditional smooth finish dresses the briar and highlights impressive stacks of cross grain along the flanks of the bowl and fields of birdseye across the fore and aft sides.