Smooth Oval Shank Billiard with Celluloid Tobacco Pipe

Tonni Nielsen takes a definitive Danish approach to his Billiard shapes, rendering the bowl soft and supple with a lower mass and a long, soft taper towards the rim — which, in turn, lends the form a more Brandy-like aesthetic in profile. Here that softness is readily on display, as it's set in stark juxtaposition to the streamlined nature of the oval shank and sleek saddle stem, emphasizing both the broad, low-set waistline and gentle taper up to the rim. Unsurprisingly this all fills the hand quite comfortably, and presented here in a vibrant contrast stain, it sports some impressive flame grain all around. Beautiful work.

- Andrew Wike