Smooth Bent Billiard (Jewel of Denmark) (A) Tobacco Pipe

Kai Nielsen, the son of Viggo Nielsen, who founded the Bari pipe factory, entered the world of pipe making in his teen years when he began working part-time at his father's factory. At the age of 21, he became a full-time employee — but that was just the beginning. Today, after years spent mastering his craft, he's a respected artisan with an impressive portfolio full of refined, classically Danish pieces. Showcasing exceptional grain and shaping, this bent Billiard has earned Nielsen's Jewel of Denmark grade at the "A" level, cementing its status among the upper echelons of the artisan's work. When looking at the exemplary grain, finish, and shaping on this piece, it's easy to understand how it earned such a prestigious grade.

A well-balanced piece, this offering pairs a moderately sized bowl to a concise shank-and-stem arrangement. The bowl possesses a subtly concave rim and demonstrates a graceful forward cant, continuing the sweeping momentum established by the shank and stem. The former is semi-circular in cross-section — a common convention in Kai's work — and pairs seamlessly with the shaping of the half-saddle stem. In terms of finish, this piece only grows more lovely, with tight tendrils of flame grain and flawless curlicues of birdseye accentuated by a dark, elegant stain.