Smooth Bent Apple with Silver (0513) Tobacco Pipe

The tight-knit proportions and stoutly energetic style of this Lars Ivarsson recalls at first glance S. Bang - or at least those similarly compact, sturdy-shanked, plump bowled briars that are considered by many to be S. Bang's most desirable work. Lars has his own way of approaching this theme, however. If anything, his shanks are even more robust, relative to the shaping of the bowl, and their more potent substance and gesture is further accentuated by his use of a curious, helmet-like style of stem-base. In this case, he's also lent the profile quite a bit more bend, emphasizing an even more dynamic posture and flow. Last, but certainly not least, there's the sheer matter of scale, this briar being far grander in its measurements than S. Bang's often pocket-sized pieces.

- Eric N. Squires