Description
■SOLD $628■ If interested in any pipes of Brugman’s that aren’t currently available, or for question on his work, feel free to reach out to him directly at todd@ljperetti.com
Todd Brugman Old Algerian Briar** Bulldog With Octagon Cumberland Saddle-Fishtail Stem
This is a one-of-a-kind pipe by our in-house pipe maker, Todd Brugman. It is made 100% from the raw materials, by hand, in the LJ Peretti workshop, here in Boston. He only ever uses the highest of quality for materials, including the vulcanite.
His work all comes together creating unique and cohesive pipe designs. This is just one of Brugman’s many unique interpretations of English shape chart pipes incorporating English, Danish and Italian shaping cues in Brugman’s unique “Americana” style; there is clearly a strong yet very unique influence of neo-classical Italian shaping via English shape chart styles with his Danish influences being on the use of & understanding of grain rather than style and/or engineering. His approach, especially with a strong English influence, and many more of Brugman’s unique qualities such as the lack of rustication and more, is something not seen in his contemporaries. He can blend the distinctive and idiosyncratic, grounding the most unique pipes in the familiar. Though contemporary, by definition, he is often described as “contemporary with a timeless aesthetic,” truly anachronistic work.
Brugman states that famous art deco graphic and Industrial designer Raymond Loewy is a big influence on all his pipe design, and that can clearly been seen in this pipes shaping, especially in his recent work over the past year or so. Other big influences that can be seen in his work, as he will often state the early 20th century’s short lived Italian art movement “Futurism” especially “the work of Umberto Busoni…” Brugman has stated; and the influence of “Futurism” can be seen the most in pipes that he has panels on.
Every shaping and compositional decisions by Brugman is deliberate. “It is all by design…from the exact angle of the cant, the thickness and shape transition of the shank, to whether or not the shank has flat or rounded sides, the subtleties of the stain, roundness of any part of the work, the the most minuet subtlety is in the proportions…. “ and so much more.
This pipe, a ” Bulldog”, a traditionally English shape presented here with a robust and muscular aesthetic, by design. The shank is an octagon that gently tapers from the bowl with a clear delineation, seamlessly to into the stem; yet the bottom three panels wrap into the bowl with dynamic continuity. It has a saddle stem that comes in, then flairs out like a fishtail, a unique stem shaping of Brugman, and as he typically does with this particular rendition of a bulldog. All these elements come together in a cohesive manner making a pipe that is composed beautifully and elegantly
This pipe of Brugman’s has a classic mid-century ‘Americana’ elegance, Is also clearly carries an otherwise ineffable contemporary qualities that are also timeless, making it anachronistic; and this, along with dynamic grain patterns and perfect engineering, is one of many things that people come to expect from a pipe made by Brugman.
At 5 1/8 inches and 32 grams, this pipe clenches easily and comfortably. It is a stunning pipe with strong muscular lines, and a sturdy construction. It also has a sizeable chamber, 7/9 inch diameter, about a group 5 size.
This pipe is all around engineered perfectly from the way the draft hole is drilled and aligned to the funneled stem, and so much more.
All of Brugman’s shaping creates a composition that showcases a beautiful and cohesive pipe.
Brugman has become known for his ability to pull out the best and most dynamic grain for from each block he works with; letting the block of briar dictate the shape which he revels and adorns with his hand in his own way.
…the uniqueness of a pipes grain is what makes the folk art we call pipe making so brilliant, as a pipe is always a collaboration between myself, the pipe maker, and with nature as an artist.
Brugman will use modern patterns/swirls in his pipes, but is very picky, as he never wants the stem to be louder than the stummel, he feel the should balance yet at the same time, the stummel should be the “star of the show.” He tends to pick neutral colors with an organic swirl pattern, that despite the intrinsic contemporary nature of many of the vulcanite (occasionally acrylic, or juma) he uses, it still carries the timeless aesthetic that is so often mentioned when speaking of his work.
As one can see, Brugman clearly “paints with his own brush” when creating a pipe, or any work. He also states that the same fine artists that influenced him in his painting from Rembrandt to Willem de Kooning, have equally, along with a long list of pipe makers and styles, influence his pipes and all his art.
Perfectly drilled and engineered, this pipe is as much a precision instrument as it is a work of art.
…just as a painting is not a work of art until it is viewed, a pipe it is not a finished work until it is smoked. Therefore the last brush stroke is applied by its owner who will continue to paint it and enjoy it for life.
Brugman guarantees all of his work against defects for life.
Length: 5 1/8″
Bowl Height: 1 5/8″
Chamber Diameter: 7/8″
Weight: 32 Grams
Materials: Algerian Briar & Vulcanite
Grade: dd
100% made in Boston, USA
Todd Brugman Grading System from Lowest to Highest/Best: T, O, d, dd
Grading is 90% based on the grain, and 10% based on the shaping in regards to difficulty and execution. Also, if there are inclusions in the briar (if there are, they aren’t flaws, just “inclusions” in Brugman’s words, otherwise he wouldn’t sell the pipe. Small black dot that may or may not recess ever so slightly into the pipe. Nothing is hidden, if they exist, one would see them, Brugman doesn’t hide them via fills or photography, he makes sure all angles of the pipe can been seen, he considers them part of the grain, natural) Those can effect the price and the grading. Grading is 100% Brugman’s opinion, as every pipe maker and brand grades differently based on what they view as “perfection.”
Pipes are stamped “T Brugman” followed by the grade, on the left side of the shank. With “LJ Peretti Co” stamped on the right side of the shank. Sometimes all stamps can be on the same side or a different location if the pipe shape doesn’t allow the former.
**Note: This pipe is made from Algerian Briar. Algerian Briar was the gold standard for briar up until the early 1960s, especially for sandblasts (It was the only briar Dunhill used for sandblasting in that time period, and the first briar to be sandblasted due to it having a large contrast in grain density, among other attributes. It was known to be the highest quality briar, for any finish, smooth, sandblast, etc. for many factors. In 1962 the French-Algerian war ended and in its wake the vast majority of the places where the briar grew were destroyed. Since, no brand has been able to get large enough quantities of it to use for there pipes. It has been available, just in small quantities. A small amount of artisan pipe maker could purchase 8 to 12 blocks once a year, but the quantities are extremely limited, and it takes 80 or so years for briar to grow (ideally much longer). We happen to have a supply here (yet limited, and dwindling) here that was acquired by Bob Peretti many decades ago.
