Danish Estates: Former Smooth Apple with Silver Tobacco Pipe

Boasting decades of experience in the craft, Hans "Former" Nielsen has rightfully earned his place as one of the premier artisans in not just Denmark, but the world at large. He cut his teeth, for ten years, in the legendary W.Ø. Larsen workshop, where he oversaw and worked with the likes of Teddy Knudsen, Tonni Nielsen, and Jess Chonowitsch and during which he honed his sense for not just what was aesthetically pleasing about a particular piece, but how well it functioned and smoked. After leaving the Larsen workshop, Nielsen began making pipes under his own name, and his designs have influenced several generations of craftsman. His work showcases a penchant for sleek, minimalist lines, supple curves, and gorgeous grain, and this straight Apple perfectly exemplifies all of those traits.

A fairly compact design, this straight Apple pairs a pert, gently rounded bowl to a low-slung shank-and-stem arrangement. In classic Danish fashion, the bowl tapers subtly from its plump, supple heel towards its rim, while the wide transition accentuates the rounded qualities of the bowl and lends it further definition within the overall composition. The bowl and shank are perfectly balanced in profile, and that balance can be felt in-hand, as the proportions are so perfectly distributed. The shank-and-stem arrangement offers sleek, subdued line work that keeps the design elegant and refined. The stummel wears a gorgeous, auburn-hued smooth finish that showcases a beautiful array of flame grain on either flank of the bowl. A sterling silver accents further elevate this piece, lending regal flash to the shape's tantalizing profile.