Benni Jorgensen: Partially Sandblasted Acorn (40th Anniversary) Tobacco Pipe

Benni Jorgensen's Swan grade is his highest designation, reserved only for those pieces that he considers exceptional in quality of briar as well as craftsmanship. As such, Jorgensen typically reserves the prestigious appellation for smooth finished pipes; however, he has given the grade to sandblasted pieces before. It's a relatively rare occurrence to see a sandblasted Swan grade piece, making this Acorn offering even more special but judging from the grain and shaping, it makes perfect sense why Benni felt this composition deserved the high honor.

Though the sandblast is remarkably light in terms of depth it's no less stunning as waves of ring grain creep up the bowl's flanks, intersecting with flame grain patterns. The warm tones of the contrast stain beautifully highlight the subtle nuances of the briar's grain, making the patterns even more visually captivating. What particularly grabbed my attention on this piece is the precise line work and how it informs much of the piece's execution. The shank's ridgelines emerge from the shank face as two separate elements before merging into a single line along the heel, twisting along the right flank before wrapping around the rounded rim. It's an impressive variation on the teardrop motif Jorgensen favors in many of his designs, adding some firmness to the typically rounded and supple style associated with the Acorn. I also appreciate how the entire underside of the shank has been left smooth, further allowing the ridgeline to stand out both visually and texturally. Its light stain pairs handsomely with the rest of the stummel's coloration while also matching the hue of the chamfered inner rim. A gorgeous piece from Benni that deftly demonstrates his ability to explore shapes in fresh, exciting ways and certainly deserving of its distinguished Swan stamp.