Swept Away
Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 8:51AM | Neill Archer Roan | Permalink tagged Bent Dublin, Tonni Nielsen, Viking Grade | in Artisan, Artisanal Pipes, Collecting 
It rarely happens, but once in a great while I stumble across a pipe that is so compelling and extraordinary that I add it to my collection without respect to whether the artisan or shape falls within my collection focus. I’m thrilled when this happens. These events conjure the unbridled, naïve awe and enthusiasm that bubbled up when I was new to the bigger pipe world. 
I was swept away by such an event the week before last when I encountered the exquisite Viking-graded bent dublin by Tonni Nielsen that you see pictured here. This is among the two or three most beautiful pipes in my collection and - at least to me - that’s saying something. I feel indebted to Tonni Nielsen for evoking my response; his work has reminded me just how much joy this hobby can create.
Like many of you, I see a lot of pipes. I attend three to four pipe shows yearly. I’ve been blessed to browse through number of wonderful collections. Like many in our hobby, I regularly receive email updates from many pipe makers. I visit pipe forums daily and look at online offerings from various pipe re-sellers. I see a lot of pipes I’d like to have. I see few that I must have.
I feel awe and enthusiasm less often than I once did. Becoming inured to one’s impulsive response to beauty seems an unintended consequence of study, knowledge, and experience. I am reminded of a former life when I was a concert artist. Study, obsessive practice, and the cultivation of keen critical skills nearly erased my passion for music. People who aren’t artists assume that the better one gets at something – or the more one knows – the more enjoyment or passion one feels. It ain’t necessarily so.
One can find oneself despising a once-beloved muse; indeed, many of my artist friends have experienced crises of identity and commitment when this happened. I have sometimes wondered whether this dimming of passion happens to artisans over the course of decades of daily grinds.
Though I have admired Tonni’s work over the years, I haven’t owned many of his pipes. One of my favorite of Tonni’s pipes is depicted at right. It had astonishing straight grain and integrity of form, but alas it was too big for me. I find myself wishing this morning that I hadn’t sold it, but a Tonni collector really wanted it for his own.
When I have seen Tonni at pipe shows, it seems that every time I found myself at Tonni’s table I’d run out of money. I vividly remember admiring a number of his pipes. But, for some reason, that deep response that connects collector and artisan never occurred – until now. Now, I plan to make Tonni’s table among the first I visit.
Lasse Skovgaard, Tonni Nielsen, and Mimmo RomeoWhen it comes to experience and pedigree, few pipe makers compare to Tonni Nielsen. Starting out at Larsen at 16 years old, Tonni’s been making pipes for 41 years. Teddy Knudsen and Hans “Former” Nielsen - Nielsen’s mentors – are titans in the artisanal pipe world. Nielsen was making straight grains at Larsen after only 3 years. This is no small feat given who else was working at Larsen in those days. 
When I look at this pipe, I see more than one pipe. I see a long line of pipes. Tonni’s Larsen heritage is visible to me in the dublin shape with curved bowl top. I also see him pushing way beyond what I’ve seen before, especially in the exquisite plateau fringe that borders the birdseyed bowl like some jagged crenellation on a medieval Viking castle. It boggles my mind how exacting the challenge was to remove all the plateau but that which borders the bowl. Imagine sanding the top while leaving the plateau untouched. Perhaps it is easy, but it looks difficult.
We see the plateau fringe echoed at the shank-stem transition, but Tonni deftly moved the fringe from the outer edge to the inner edge where the stem plunges downward through a tiny briar mountain range. The buttery ivory at the stem end contrasts beautifully with the broken fractals of the plateau, providing a relief against which the plateaux’ organic roughness is starkly observable.
Nielsen’s use of plateaux to accentuate, define, and detail the shape edges is something I have not seen employed before. No doubt this brilliant aesthetic touch will soon appear on other artisanal pipes as it is so striking.
I wonder, however, how unusual this particular block was? The bowl and shank plateaux exist on different planes. That Tonni Nielsen could see this opportunity - let alone execute it - is a testament to his ability to imagine a thing before making it manifest.
As is evident, but not particularly uncommon, Tonni skillfully liberated the pipe from the block. Though not angel-hair straight, the flame grain is fine. It complements the shape, and his contrast stain highlights its charm. Tonni’s finish work is superb.
Although this is not a particularly light pipe, the bent stem makes it remarkable comfortable in the mouth. It is a superb smoke which, again is no surprise.
I hear through the grapevine that this pipe is but one example of a fresh wave of fantastic work and renewed vigor coming from Tonni Nielsen’s Kentucky basement workshop. I hope so. If this pipe signals a new era in the Tonni Nielsen story, I am thrilled that I am around to enjoy it.
Reader Comments (11)
Tonni Nielsen is one of those artisans that could be called "a carver's carver". I have had conversations with numerous pipe makers who hold Tonni in the very highest regard. I remember showing one of my Tonni pipes to a very well known American carver who took it in hand and bolted out of his studio exclaiming "beautiful, beautiful" running into his house so he could show it to his wife. I own several of Tonni's pipes and they are, without exception, beautiful, hand friendly and excellent smokers. If there is a 'pipe pantheon" Tonni belongs in it for sure. Your new pipe, Neill, is ample evidence.
I am so glad to see Tonni's work featured on your blog, Neil. As mentioned, Tonni lives in my home state of Kentucky and while speaking with him at the Vegas show, he invited me by his shop. As luck would have it, Tonni lives about 30 minutes from my parent's home and my father and I both zipped over to Tonni's over the Christmas holidays. Tonni and his wonderful wife Barbara could not have been nicer and what I saw in his shop blew me away.
I am a designer in the film industry and have experienced the kind of burn out you mentioned, from time to time. Usually, exposure to inspired art and design outside of my realm is a good way to jumpstart the creative engine again. Looking at pipe after pipe, I was astonished by not only the variety of beautiful shapes, but also the consistent quality of each and every one. In the the thirty or so pipes I saw that day, there wasn't a weak one in the bunch. It was certainly inspiring to see someone who has been carving so long, creating such fresh work.
Of course the trip wouldn't be complete without obtaining one of these fine pipes, so I chose a rather beautiful Danish dublin with a mushroom cap covered in birdseye.
There is something truly great happening in that little shop in Kentucky. And Tonni, if your reading, you've gotta finish that little blasted bulldog. Maybe I can pick it up next Christmas:)
That really is a stunning and unique pipe. I could stare at it for hours.
I had chance to see this pipe in a group that had 10 or so, some were a little ore to my liking than others. This particular pipe stood out from the pack and grabbed me by the throat and heart and made me smile...inside where it counts!! . Simply put: One of the most beautiful, inspiring,striking, I have seen in along time!! Just STUNNING!
MARIO PERSICO
That unique and stunning pipe has obviously found its proper home. There is little I can add to your comments about the pipe itself.
I too had the opportunity to see that pipe in Las Vegas and was gobsmacked by it. I also had the good fortune to sit around a table with Tonni and some others, drinking beer, smoking our pipes, sharing stories and plotting to save the world. What a multifaceted and great person he is.
As a firm believer that a pipe is not only a thing to smoke, but can also be a work of art that is imbued with the spirit of its maker. Having had the opportunity to get to know Tonni a bit, I can say that you have a rare and wonderfully spirited pipe there.
Thanks for sharing your fabulous pictures and thoughts with us. Your sense of awe comes across so clearly and it is shared.
As a pipe maker, I have found his work to be inspirational. Quite simply, Tonni is a master.
He has always been kind with his time and advice. Years ago I asked him to give an honest opinion of my work and he was kind enough to rip me to shreds! It was one of the most valued lessons ever and greatly appreciated.
I hold him and his art in the highest regard.
I love the way that the plateau fringe separates the sides and the rim. I see a thin walled, jagged edged bowl filled with a small pond of birdseye. Oftentimes an artist or designer will have a wonderful, novel idea then turn it into a one liner. Not the case here. And it took a sure hand to exercise the restraint of line and form evident throughout, particularly in the willowy curve of the stem. What a beauty! Bravo to Tonni, and to you Neill for sharing your thoughts and enthusiasm.
Neill
I'd have to agree with you that this pipe might be one of the most stunning pieces of artistry in pipedom. Fitting addition to your fine collection. Look forward to getting a chance to see this one in person one day real soon as my guess is the pictures, while incredible, might not do this one justice.
Enjoy!
Jeff
Gorgeous pipe! Tonni is one of my favorite pipe makers.
Fred
I love Tonni Nielsen's pipes, and Tonni and Barbara are two of the nicest people you can meet at any pipe show. I remember once in Chicago talking with Tonni, and I couldn't help but admire the pipe he was smoking. I asked him if he could make me one just like it, and he did several months later. I love that pipe.
Over the years, I have acquired a few more, one of which -- which I regret having traded to Frank Burla -- was a Larsen pearl that Tonni had made.
In Las Vegas last November I bought a gorgeous Calabash from Tonni. The detail at the top is not to be believed -- it required the same type of skill and patience that Neill's new pipe required.
I just love it when a pipe maker really pays attention to every little detail, especially when they have the kind of skill and knowledge that Tonni has. It is not surprising that Tonni is one of the best in the world. The fact that he is a good guy too makes his pipes that much more special.