Misc. Estates: Bjorn Bengtsson Sandblasted Bent Egg with Horn (282) (1982) Tobacco Pipe

Swedish artisan Bjorn Bengtsson trained under Poul Rasmussen and worked out of Anne Julie's workshop, before eventually establishing his own workshop in his home country. He produces a wide assortment of shapes, with this bent Egg being one of his more sinuous compositions. This piece is all flowing lines and plump curves, its voluptuous, full-bodied bowl and curling shank-and-stem arrangement immediately evoking the look of certain Danish pipes. Standing atop a subtly lifted heel, the aforementioned bowl possesses a forward-canted posture that imbues the entire form with a driving momentum. The shank-and-stem arrangement keeps things looking lithe and easy-going in profile, displaying a more reserved build in comparison to the bowl. A dark sandblast dresses the stummel and highlights impressive grain across the bowl's flanks, while a ferrule of horn adorns the shank and adds a touch of complementary color the briar's hues.