German Estates: Wolfgang Becker Panel with Bamboo (1998) Tobacco Pipe

Wolfgang Becker began fashioning pipes in the 1980s after being inspired by the work of Danish artisans, particularly Lars Ivarsson. While Danish carvers certainly influenced his shaping style, Becker imbues all of his work with a sense of character that is all his own, and much of that character comes in the form of unique accent materials and eye-catching finishing work, both of which are on display with this unique Panel design.

The bowl possesses a convex fore and aft that slope downwards and converge at a pronounced, Acorn-like heel, bringing to mind the Shield shape. The difference here being that the flanks of the bowl are paneled, adding a sense of structure to the composition. The trim, abbreviated shank extends from the transition before giving way to three knuckles of warm, natural bamboo. Each knuckle of the organic material is evenly spaced, which creates a nice sense of visual rhythm that bridges the transition to the tapered stem of jet-black vulcanite. The stummel wears a warm, traditional smooth finish that not only shines in profile but also highlights the dense constellation of birdseye across the fore of the bowl.