Smooth Freehand Tobacco Pipe

As the grandson of Paul Rasmussen and Anne Julie, pipe making is in Johannes "Suhr" Rasmussen's blood. His portfolio reflects a life immersed in the traditions of artisanal pipe making. This Freehand, with the organic blossom of its stummel and its soft flowing lines, exudes a Horn-like elegance. It also possesses much of the supple linework and harmonious flow of the Danish Fancy Freehand style. Epitomizing such a style is the transition. Parabolic in shape, it is set deep into the bowl's aft wall so that a swiftly curving line sweeps from the back rim into the shank face, following gorgeous cross grain along the way. The pipe's lush curves, as seen from the side view, are juxtaposed against a strikingly geometric, triangular rim. It's clear that he was reading the briar well as he shaped the pipe, following its natural tendencies — which can be seen in the paneling choices he made. To bring it all together, a warm stain dresses the stummel to show off the rich array of grain across its surface, including the tightly coiled birdseye along its flanks.