Kent Rasmussen: Smooth Bent Dublin with Masur Birch Tobacco Pipe

With a background in architecture and modern art, Kent Rasmussen brings a distinctive, sculptural aesthetic to Denmark's pipe-making milieu. His style is more reserved than the boundless, avant-garde approach of the Danish Fancy Freehand tradition, yet even Rasmussen's classic renditions reveal an added je ne sais quoi, combining organic flourishes and intricate details with traditional design cues. His pipes often prioritize fluid curvature, and collectors across the globe appreciate his artful approach to pipe making.

This bent Dublin exemplifies Rasmussen's expertise with curved lines, and the composition is founded upon the stummel's consistent undercurve, flowing seamlessly through the shank's underside and heel and into the stem, creating a sense of balance and dynamism between the fore and aft of the pipe. The broad, flaring bowl is capped with a rim of craggy plateau, contrasted by a smooth inner rim. The design of the shank is quite impressive, creating an organically rounded triangle cross section, with ridges and grooves along its length creating a unique look and engaging texture. The stem base is adorned with a band of masur birch, offering a touch of tasteful contrast between the black vulcanite and briar on either side. Said stem is hand-cut in saddle form, offering a comfortable smoking posture. Dressed in a rich auburn finish, the stummel boasts excellent straight and flame grain around the bowl, while the inner rim displays tight swirls of birdseye.