Peter Heding: Rusticated Nut with Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

A former molecular biologist, Peter Heding became fascinated with pipe making after seeing an interview with the legendary Anne Julie. His interest piqued, Heding sought out Tom Eltang, who took the Heding under his wing and taught him the fundamentals of the craft. During his two years of study with Eltang, Heding took the pipes he had crafted to the Chicago Pipe Show in 2004 and 2005. Pleased with the reception his work had garnered, Heding eventually quit his research position and took on pipe making full time.

As a student of Danish craftsmanship, Heding's pipes tend to prioritize supple curves and lean, flowing lines, and this Nut rendition is no different. In fact, this piece is the definition of elegance, offering a forward-ebbing, wasp-waisted bowl that seamlessly melds into an upturned shank-and-stem arrangement. The bowl's curvaceous fore wall and sloped aft end lend a dynamic posture to the bowl itself, while the shank-and-stem arrangement's languid curvature gives the shape a gestural pose in profile. Two knuckles of bamboo extend the shank and provide a vibrant warmth to the shape's otherwise muted palette. Dressed in a crisp rustication, the stummel offers a touch of texture for the fingers to appreciate.