Danish Estates: Sixten Ivarsson Sandblasted Tomato (2367) (1967) Tobacco Pipe

A transformative figure in artisan craftsmanship, the legacy of the late Sixten Ivarsson continues to shape the world of pipe-making. A pioneering Danish carver, he was the first to shape pipes according to the natural patterns of the briar, creating the "shape first, drill second method" that introduced a variety of shapes in the pipe making world. Over a career spanning nearly 60 years, he left an indelible mark on the craft. After his passing in 2001, his legacy lived on through his son Lars and granddaughter Nanna, both of whom have become master carvers in their own right.

Crafted in 1967, this Pot is imbued with vintage Danish design cues and is one of the few renditions of the shape we have seen from the legendary craftsman. This piece holds a relaxed curvature throughout, with a slightly upturned ovoid shank and a demurely bent saddle stem out back. The bowl is replete with soft curves, making for a design that contours well to the hand. It's in the stummel's sandblast where we can see Ivarsson's innovative craftsmanship, clearly oriented to showcase the best of the briar's grain: growth rings flowing down the right flank of the bowl with specks of birdseye adorning the left.