Pfeifenbox

Brands

Wolfgang Becker

Tier:

Affordable	Mid-grade	Elevated	High-grade	Top
			X

Maker's own website: http://www.wolfgang-becker-pfeifen.de/

Country: Germany

Price: € 350+

Production method:

Factory	Machine-assisted	Freehand
		X

Notes: Wolfgang Becker makes far less than 100 pipes a year, normally graded from 1 - 9 in ascending order of quality (though the lower digits are rare, and the very best pieces get alphabetical stamps from A - G). Some of his most fervent admirers live in the USA, but his pipes are not easy to find in web stores. Reportedly, his own favourite carver is Lars Ivarsson, though by no means all Wolfgang Beckers betray an Ivarsson influence.

Comments: Strangely, given his transatlantic audience, Wolfgang Becker apparently favours rather shallow blasts. Grain is not his top priority, either. His shapes are undiplomatic and bold - demanding (and receiving) more than casual attention. One gets the distinct feeling that there is 'a message' to be read - a truly artistic statement, rather than a merely aesthetic attitude.

The pipe shown is slightly asymmetric, the shank curving to one side in a fashion subtly short of exaggeration. It is actually quite a challenge to look at - one feels compelled to identify some kind of symbolism, which (in a very tantalising way) remains elusive. Simply for the fun of it, I'll add that I am curiously reminded of a Mother Goddess statuette.

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