Smooth Bent Apple with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Revered by collectors and respected by fellow pipe makers, Cornelius Mänz has amassed a loyal following thanks to his rigorous standards and relentless pursuit of perfection. Though he was a pipe smoker and always exhibited a respect for the craft, it wasn't until his 30th birthday that he felt the need to create pipes of his own. While on vacation in Denmark, Cornelius happened upon a pipe making workshop and watched pipes being shaped, quickly obtaining a pre-drilled briar block to practice on when he returned home. Channeling his background in textile design and graphic arts, Mänz continues to craft some of the finest smoking instruments in the world. His work has received praise from legendary artisans such as Bo Nordh and Tom Eltang, with this bent Apple calling to mind Eltang's style but re-imagined through Cornelius' own creative lens.

With its supple curves, plateau-topped rim, and horn accent mount, this piece is steeped in the Danish tradition while remaining easily recognizable as the German artisan's work. The plump, broad bowl displays an active, gestural stance in profile, the upward sweep along its heel informing much of its dynamism. The transition sits slightly tucked underneath the bowl's protruding flanks before leading to the abbreviated shank and horn mount which flares outward in traditional Danish fashion, mimicked by the disc-shaped stem base. The aforementioned horn comes from old stock Cornelius acquired from France and is fitted to one of his expertly engineered mouthpieces, which many collectors claim are among the most comfortable in the world. The German artisan's attention to detail, limited yearly output, and exacting standards make his work highly sought after and have rightfully furthered his status as one of the most talented pipe makers in the modern era.