CELIUS Fantasy 1
Denmark, 1960-80s
Another pioneer of Danish freehand pipes, Svend Axel Celius similarly to Peter Brakner started at Suhr’s Pibemageri in Copenhagen, where he learned pipe making art from Poul Rasmussen and Sven Knudsen. Also, similarly to Peter Brakner Celius went off soon for own career (1963) and was one of the very first and very lucky Danish carvers who started to supply freehands to the large and thirsty for innovations USA market. The life of the artisan was changeable with many ups and downs; the last Celius pipes were made in the late 1980s.
Fantasy series was especially dedicated to the most sophisticated and “wild to slightly crazy” freehands. One of the professional artisans signs – long pointed front (fronts) what allows the pipe to became a sitter and makes it more comfortable both in hands and on a desk.
The pipe markings are “CELIUS \ FANTASY \ DENMARK”, “1”. The length is 16.1 cm (6.34″), bowl’s height is 6.6 cm (2.6″). External diameter of the bowl is 5.0 cm (1.97″), internal diameter is 2.4 cm (0.94″). The depth is 4.2 cm (1.65″) and this pipe weights 72 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter. The stummel had a few light surface scrathes and dents carefully patched during the restoration.
