Georg Jensen Antik 972 91 Sandblast Bent Billiard Estate Pipe 9mm Filter

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GEORG JENSEN ANTIK BENT BILLIARD, MODEL 972 91

This is a Georg Jensen Antik sandblast bent billiard fitted with a vulcanite saddle stem and fishtail mouthpiece, stamped 972 91. The pipe presents in very good condition with even grain definition across the bowl, consistent finish, and evidence of prior use without heavy restoration.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Georg Jensen stands as one of the most significant silversmith and design houses in Nordic modernism, founded in Copenhagen in 1904. While the firm gained international renown for jewelry, flatware, and hollowware, Georg Jensen also produced a respected line of smoking accessories and pipes under the Antik brand. The Antik line represents the application of Jensen design principles to functional objects: clean geometry, restrained ornamentation, and materials chosen for longevity and tactile quality.

The 972 and 973 series pipes in the Antik catalog occupy a middle tier of the producer's offering-neither the most ornate nor the plainest models. These shapes emphasize balanced bowl-to-shank proportion and a steady hand-feel rather than sculptural drama. The 972 bent billiard was a steady catalog presence, chosen by smokers who wanted reliable Danish engineering in a familiar, approachable shape. Jensen pipes and pipe accessories are collected both for their functional merit and as examples of Scandinavian design applied to everyday objects. Collectors value them for consistent manufacturing, honest briar selection, and the historical connection to one of the 20th century's most recognized design names.

GRADING & MARKS

- Stamped: GEORG JENSEN ANTIK (maker mark)
- Stamped: 972 91 (model and grade designation)
- Hallmark: metal components carry Jensen house marks
- The "91" suffix in the Jensen catalog system denotes a natural finish grade

SHAPE ANALYSIS

The bent billiard is one of the foundational shapes in pipe design: a bowled chamber set at a moderate forward angle over a curved shank, terminating in a vulcanite saddle stem. This orientation positions the pipe bowl slightly forward of the smoker's eye line, a geometry favored for extended daytime smoking. The saddle stem-a vulcanite plate seated across the shank opening-provides a secure, low-maintenance interface and a comfortable mouth contact. The fishtail mouthpiece flares slightly at the end, distributing lip contact across a broader surface and reducing the sensation of clenching. Jensen's 972 is neither short nor exaggerated; it sits in the practical middle range of bent billiards, a shape suited equally to workshop use or casual library smoking. The 40 mm bowl depth supports a full smoke without excessive heat carryover to the shank.

BRIAR & FINISH

The sandblast finish-achieved by directing fine sand against the briar surface under pressure-opens the grain structure and removes the outer cellulose layer, revealing the linear grain patterns beneath. On this pipe, the mottled brown grain runs consistently from bowl rim to shank shoulder, showing the natural color variation and grain angle typical of Algerian or Greek briar of that period. Sandblasting requires careful technique: too aggressive and the pipe loses structural definition; too light and the finish appears muddy. Jensen's finishing protocols produced a reliable, durable result that ages well. The fishtail vulcanite stem carries the characteristic light chattering and oxidation patina of aged hard rubber, deepening the visual contrast with the lighter briar tones.

CONDITION REPORT

Overall condition: very good, pre-smoked.

Rim: Tiny darkness noted on the rim edge; no structural compromise.

Bowl interior: Clear of buildup; chamber walls show no cracks or delamination.

Briar surface: Consistent sandblast finish across the bowl and shank. Faint scratches visible around the briar bite marks on the mouthpiece where the stem meets the bowl-these are cosmetic wear marks from prior handling and smoking, not structural damage.

Stem: Vulcanite saddle seat is secure and shows typical light oxidation consistent with age and use. Fishtail mouthpiece intact, no cracks.

Faint staining visible on the briar, consistent with prior tobacco and moisture exposure; the pipe is fully functional and ready to smoke.

No fills, repairs, or relacquering detected.

DIMENSIONS

- Overall length: 133 mm / 5.3 inches
- Bowl height: 50 mm / 2.0 inches
- Bowl width: 34 mm / 1.4 inches
- Bowl depth: 40 mm / 1.6 inches
- Chamber diameter: 20 mm / 0.8 inches
- Filter size: 9 mm
- Weight: 1.3 oz (36.8 g)

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SKU: SKU-040