Peter Heding: Smooth Nautilus Tobacco Pipe

Doctor Peter Heding holds a PhD in molecular biology and began his pipe-making career in 2003, when, while working at a research institute, he saw an interview with renowned artisan Anne Julie. Heding was already feeling the intense urge to pursue a kind of handicraft work, and it was only then when he knew exactly what kind of work he would do. His first few pipes were made mainly on the floor of his kitchen, carved with knives and hand tools, and the first handmade pipe that he subsequently bought was from none other than legendary artisan Tom Eltang. Shortly thereafter, Tom invited Heding to his workshop and began to mentor him, doing so for two years and introducing his work at the Chicago Pipe Show in both 2004 and 2005. In 2006 Heding left his research position and dedicated himself to a full-time pipe-making career.

The Nautilus is a shape that we've seen from Heding in the past, though this particular outline is one we've not seen before. Rather than stylizing the shank to curl around the top toward the transition, as in many iterations of this profile, this piece sees its shank lift and flare before tapering upward toward a defined point highlighted by a ridge. This ridge drapes over the domed peak of the shank and plunges through its flanks before curving gesturally forward and following the flow of the bowl, accentuating the travel of the briar as it reaches toward the rearward-slanting rim. The bowl itself is rather rotund, especially at the aft-side wall, and features ample curves for the fingers to appreciate, as well as a dynamic outline that keeps the eye focused on it. The demurely curved stem that arcs out of the rounded shank end is possessed of a single expansion ring at the base, matching the stummel's ridge, and the mounting point is rounded by a brass ring for extra support. Dressed in a vibrant auburn contrast stain, the briar here showcases some striking grain, with flame and cross grain following through in the flanks while both the fore and aft sides reveal vast swaths of birdseye.