Henri Sorensen: Sandblasted Acorn with Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

Like many artisan makers, Henri Sørensen entered the craft through his love of pipe smoking, a hobby he shared with his brother. Originally a glazier by trade, Sørensen had always held an affinity for old-school craftsmanship, so it didn't take long for the Danish carver to decide to make a pipe of his own. As a craftsman, Sørensen takes inspiration from Denmark's rich pipe-making history, with his pipes reflecting the tutelage he received from fellow carvers like Jens "Tao" Nielsen, Tom Eltang, and Lasse Skovgaard. That being said, Sørensen's pipes are distinctly his own, as each piece is imbued with the Danish carver's unique creative aesthetic.

A handsome showcase of Sørensen's style, this Acorn features a plump bowl that flares from its subtly pointed heel to its broad, rounded rim. Said bowl stands at the fore of an upturned shank and a demurely curved saddle stem, the latter of which promotes a comfortable smoking posture. Two knuckles of bamboo extend the shank and liven the shape's otherwise reserved color palette, the dense grass' golden complexion offsetting the bowl's earthy stain and the stem's inky hues. Dressing this piece is a crisp sandblast that lends a touch of rugged texture to the shape and draws out rippling growth rings along the bowl's flanks.