Danish Estates: Finn Andersen Smooth Brandy with Silver Tobacco Pipe

Little is known of Danish artisan Finn Andersen, though we have seen his work before, and it's difficult to see why that is, given his powerful command of shaping and his talent for composition, both of which can be seen in this Brandy rendition. Squat and compact, this pipe encroaches into Nosewarmer territory, coming in at just under 5 inches in total length and right below two inches in height. The stem is a thick, tapered length of jet-black vulcanite, paired to the stummel at a broad band of silver marked with a pipe symbol, and it meets a trim shank that transitions swiftly into the bowl with a tight cheeking. The bowl is quite hearty, with thick walls and an unmissable presence in the hand, though this muscularity is offset by the walls' gentle, arcing taper to the domed rim. There is an exceptional balance in this pipe, the shank and stem hearty enough not to be lost in comparison to the bowl, but svelte enough to ensure the visual weight is still focused on the bowl. With its warm mahogany stain revealing handsome flame grain around the bowl and even growth rings on the left flank and an eye catching sea of birdseye on the rim, this pipe would be an attractive addition to any collection, or an excellent smoker.