Danish Estates: Anne Julie Carved Billiard (2011) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Though originally introduced to the world of pipe making through her marriage to Poul Rasmussen, Anne Julie, over time, has become a titan of the craft in her own right. Not only are her pipes greatly admired for their elegant shaping and gorgeous presentation, but she has also contributed a wealth of guidance to young, upstart carvers. Most notably, Anne Julie was the first to recognize the talent of a young Tom Eltang, offering him an apprenticeship in her personal workshop. This Billiard is a striking reminder of Julie's incredible talent.

While this piece displays a more traditional silhouette, with a pert, tapered bowl which rests atop a rounded heel at the fore of a slim, elongated round shank and deftly carved vulcanite saddle stem, the finish adds a distinctive flair to the design. Dressed in a pockmarked rustication, the stummel offers a wealth of intriguing texture that runs past the junction and into the stem, where Julie has carved her signature onto the stem itself, as well as the year it was carved. Said stummel is stained a light auburn hue, creating an elegant contrast between the shank and stem.