Tonni Nielsen: Smooth Bent Brandy (Viking) Tobacco Pipe

Though Tonni Nielsen began his pipe making career at W.Ø. Larsen and made a number of Fancy Freehands in the beginning, the Danish artisan now caters more heavily toward the classic Danish tradition of pipe design. Intensely devoted to form and craftsmanship, Nielsen's work is defined by clean lines, beautiful shaping, and elegant proportions. For pieces that represent that exceptionally, he stamps them with a viking ship. This bent Brandy is one such Viking-graded piece.

Traditionally finished and free of adorning accents, the form and grain shine in this pipe. Tonni's line work is on beautiful display in the slightly forward-urging bowl, lithely bent stem, and gradual taper of the bowl. Within the Danish style, the transition from shank to bowl can either be gentle and subtle or well-defined to promote cheeking at the lower bowl, both approaches starkly different yet still manifesting a Danish-style softness. In this piece, the former is evident, the bowl's plumpness most apparent at the fore and when held in hand. Covered in vivid straight grain, the bowl is dressed in a vibrant, honey stain, accented only by a kiss of plateau at the heel and an elegant half-saddle stem.