Kai Nielsen: Smooth Rhodesian (Jewel of Denmark) (A) Tobacco Pipe

Kai Nielsen started working in his father's pipe factory as a teenager, becoming full-time at 21 and accumulating an impressive wealth of experience that contributes to his refined, classically Danish carving style. Nielsen makes several different varieties of the Rhodesian shape, with most fitting into his sophisticated, compact style nicely, such as this iteration. Though still slightly larger than many of his other pipes, this piece yet boasts a light weight and fairly reserved reach, balancing the presence of its bowl with a stylized shank and stem combination. Said shank and stem flow out of a wide transition, the shank itself a tapering half-oval with a mostly flattened underside and a pair of ridges at the flanks, and it meets the stem at a junction marked by a pale accent. The stem is a half-saddle of black acrylic with a flaring base and a geometrical arrangement of its bit. Up front, the flattened underside informs the heel, creating a broad base defined by flat briar and the shank's ridges, which continue through the sides until they meet at the fore and join. The bowl itself boasts flaring walls that expand slowly as they reach for a high-set waist marked with twin beadlines, additionally denoting the walls' taper to the rim. Dressed in a warm, smooth finish, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout, working with the shaping to earn this piece the Jewel Of Denmark grade at the A level, denoting it as some of Nielsen's best work.