Description
This is a one-of-a-kind pipe by our in-house pipe maker Todd Brugman, it is a rendition of the classic English “Pot” shape. This is one of Brugman’s many unique interpretations of English shape chart pipes, this time on the larger size.
Brugman is know for his unique style that is highly influenced by neo-classical Italian shaping cues and Danish Minimalism with near perfect straight grain orientation, highly contemporary yet harkens a classic and timeless aesthetic: it all comes together as his own style, with, in his own words, “contemporary Americana shaping cues.”
This particular pipe is a pot, with a limited edition German vulcanite mount, with a highlight made from ivorite. Also, the stem flares up to a peak before tapering down to the bit, on the top, as an army mount stem often does, yet the bottom of the stem is flat, making a continuous flat line with the bottom of the stummel; a quite unique asymmetrical stem that sits in harmony with the composition.
This is a larger pot, about a group 4 to group 5 size, and the entire composition is squat, yet with dynamic, elegant, and flowing contours, creating a beautiful piece that can be easily clenched at only 42 grams.
So there is continuity in its design and it has a balanced visual (and physical) weight. It is rendered with precision minimalism; shaped and stained to bring out the intrinsic beauty of the briar.
Becoming a staple of Brugman pipe shaping cues, and a unique attribute, his use of a beveled heel that flows seamlessly into the shank. He started using a beveled heel on panel pipes only, but as he has appropriated the geometric nature of neo-classical Italian pipes, then made it his own, he loves this attribute when used to make a minimalistic pipe in design, minimalistic yet very dynamic (there are many unique and subtle elements Brugman adds to each pipe/work, the beveled heel only being one of many in this work.)
Brugman states, that what Michelangelo said regarding “reveling” from the marble, he has appropriated that concept/approach, as it is the truth, yet he does not claim to compare himself. Brugman says:
I have spent my time learning to make pipes, and continue to spend time studying the briar before and after the pipe is made, to learn how it will be within the block. I do not carve a pipe from the block, I simply revel a straight grained pipe that is in the block of briar, and in my experience, every block has one, it just a matter of finding
Brugman flattens out the bottom of the stummel so it easily sits. The geometric nature of the silhouette is quite dynamic, yet the shaping, including a nearly imperceptible cant of 6.5 degrees, allows this pipes composition to have a harmonious flow. A pipe like this would typically carry a muscular aesthetic, yet the nature of this pipes contours and design it carries a unique brand of “Americana” elegance via these shaping nuances and proportions.
With all the modern attributes, this pipe clearly carries both Brugman’s unique “Americana” aesthetic and has has a classic and timeless look, as you’d expect with a Brugman pipe.
Brugman was classically trained in the fine arts, and says he approaches a pipes composition in the same manner he would a painting or a relief carving. This fine-art/artistic approach is evident when viewing Brugman’s pipe portfolio, or even seeing just a handful of his works.
As one can see, despite Brugman’s stated and observed pipe shaping cue influences from English, neo-classical Italian, Danish minimalism and freehands, and even contemporary Japanese, he “paints with his own brush.” (He also states that the same fine artists that influenced him in his painting from Rembrandt to Willem de Kooning, equally, along with pipe maker and styles, influence his pipes and all his art.)
It is a very light pipe, nearly as light as a pipe can be at only 26 grams, less than one ounce.
This pipes composition is dynamic and sophisticated.
Perfectly drilled and engineered, this pipe is as much a precision instrument as it is a work of art clearly painted with Brugman’s hand.
5″ long with a 1 3/4″ tall bowl
Weight: 42 Grams
Materials: Briar, Limited Edition German SEM Vulcanite, Ivorite, and Black Vulcanite
