Smooth Acorn with Silver and Ivorite (Double Lion) Tobacco Pipe

As the son of Benni Jørgensen, Lasse Skovgaard could be said to have pipe making in his blood, but this isn't just a case of inherited talent. At the age of 16, Skovgaard began working at the esteemed W.Ø. Larsen workshop and quickly graduated from producing tampers to fashioning pipes with the other carvers. He refined his skills and talents over time with the help of his father and the great Teddy Knudsen, and in 2004, he started making artisan pipes under his own name. He quickly garnered international success and is now considered one of Denmark's premier carvers.

A brilliant showcase of Skovgaard's talent and style, this Acorn is a hearty rendition of the classic form, offering a hearty bowl over two inches tall and a total length of almost seven inches. The broad, muscular bowl, as one might expect, houses a healthy chamber capacity, ensuring plenty of long, leisurely smoking sessions, which the sinuous shank-and-stem arrangement will deftly aid. Though fairly traditional, this piece boasts a touch of organicisim to its construction, particularly along the bowl's fore, where a pronounced channel and two crisp ridgelines sweep down from the inflated rim and wrap along the underside of the heel. This organic cue lends a touch of texture to the otherwise smooth design, while accentuating the shape's dynamic curvature.

In addition to being handsomely designed, this piece also boasts a truly exceptional showing of grain. Tight licks of flame grain parade across the stummel's flanks, while whorls of birdseye populate the rim and the briar's underside. All this stunning grain is dressed in a warm smooth finish that immediately attracts the eye. The entire composition is further elevated by a band of silver and a band of Ivorite, both of which lend a touch of vibrancy to the overall form. Having earned a Double Lion grade, this piece represents the peak of Skovgaard's craftsmanship.