Tao: Smooth Billiard with Silver Tobacco Pipe

Inspired by the pipes he saw smoked by fellow seamen during his time as a sailor, Danish artisan Jens "Tao" Nielsen's oeuvre primarily comprises pipes of a remarkably compact musculature, as the cramped spaces below decks necessitated small, easily maneuverable smokers that could stand up to rugged use. This Billiard is a great example of that style, coming in at just over four and a half inches long and offering a distinctly robust feel in hand that complements its unflinchingly stout construction. The transition is wide, with plenty of room to drape a digit, and it gives way to a massively hearty shank that tapers slightly to a silver junction band, the thickness of the briar contrasted strikingly by the shank's short reach. At this junction band, the shank is met by a more swiftly tapering stem of crackling, amber-hued acrylic, the base accented with a trim ring of briar to stylistically continue the presence of the shank past the junction band. Up front, the bowl stands atop a firm heel, one that additionally denotes the low-set waist, as the walls of the bowl take on an arcing taper immediately following the heel's slight outward bow. This sleek taper to the rim not only stays true to Danish Billiard standards, but it offers an understated suppleness in hand that keeps this piece comfortable, while a slight forward cant lends the look some dynamism. Dressed in one of Tao's warm, vibrant contrast stains, this pipe showcases beautiful grain, as streaks of flame surround the bowl, framed by birdseye at the top and underside.