Lasse Skovgaard: Sandblasted Billiard with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Lasse Skovgaard began his professional career as a young man of 18 and like many of his pipe-making peers, worked for W.Ø. Larsen, initially crafting tampers from buffalo horn before quickly advancing into carving pipes. Along the way, he learned from esteemed artisans such as Teddy Knudsen and his father, Benni Jorgensen. He became more well known as an artisan to the global pipe-making community after the 2004 Chicagoland Pipe Show, and his talents have propelled him into a stellar career, with his work sought after by many.

This Billiard from the Danish artisan is a shapely, classic rendition, looking like it could be the archetype for the shape-chart standard, save for its extended length of shank and long, flattened saddle stem. The bowl offers a rounded, flattened and somewhat plump heel and is softly curvaceous with a subtle taper toward the rim. It's pertly poised at the end of a shank extended by a flared horn accent, one recessed at the face to allow the base of its sleek saddle stem to nestle in. Characterized by Danish shaping cues including gentle curves and soft lines, this piece wears one of the carver's deep, auburn-toned, low profile sandblasts that elevates the briar's natural grain patterns. A fine Sitter, this pipe also houses a good bit of chamber and presents plenty of visual and textural intrigue.