Kai Nielsen: Smooth Tomato with Horn Stem (Jewel of Denmark) (B) Tobacco Pipe

Getting his start in the pipe world as a teenager, Kai Nielsen carved pipes in the Bari pipe factory, founded by his father Viggo, for pocket money until joining full-time at the age of 21. His experiences there contributed to a wealth of talent that's now reflected in his own handmade work. Coming in at just over four inches long, this Tomato is an extremely compact pipe, easily able to slip into a pocket and perfect for hands-free smoking. Its pocketability is magnified by the squatness of the bowl up front, its rotund outline contributing to walls that are extremely plump and short, filling out the contours of the hand quite well and taking on a slight taper to the rim. A trim shank tapers to the base of a saddle stem made from genuine horn, the slight sleekness added by the saddle bit placing even further emphasis on the bowl. Dressed in a vibrant auburn stain, the grain here is quite nice, with bountiful birdseye present on both the top and undersides, while flickers of flame grain wrap around the flanks. The horn stem additionally provides some handsome contrast with the lively palette of the stummel, sure to make this pipe a valued member of any collection. Lastly, as a Jewel of Denmark example, this pipe represents some of Nielsen's finest work, having earned the second-highest B grade.