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Baier: Difference between revisions
→Methodology
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[[Image:AL BAIER-twinhorses.jpg|left|thumb|Al Baier pipes]] | |||
From his old site [http://web.archive.org/web/20000823233733/http://www.alfredbaierpipes.com/] ''(not available now)'' | From his old site [http://web.archive.org/web/20000823233733/http://www.alfredbaierpipes.com/] ''(not available now)'' | ||
== In the beginning == | == In the beginning == | ||
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== Methodology == | == Methodology == | ||
[[Image:AL BAIER 5pipes.jpg|left|thumb|Al Baier pipes]] | |||
The following are excerpts from David Wright's forthcoming book on pipe-makers around the world. Mr. Wright is the past curator of the Museum of Tobacco Art and History in Nashville, Tennessee: | The following are excerpts from David Wright's forthcoming book on pipe-makers around the world. Mr. Wright is the past curator of the Museum of Tobacco Art and History in Nashville, Tennessee: | ||
"Alfred Baier's carving style is very different. He specializes in figural briar pipes and highly stylized freehand pipes unlike any other pipes on the market. His figural pipes are reminders of the early | "Alfred Baier's carving style is very different. He specializes in figural briar pipes and highly stylized freehand pipes unlike any other pipes on the market. His figural pipes are reminders of the early [[Saint-Claude]] briar pipes in the 19th century and meerschaum pipes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of his figural pipes are carvings of heads including President Lincoln, Sherlock Holmes, a golfer, a bulldog, a wolf and a lion. He also carves figurals in a style that is more story oriented such as a image of a mermaid, a beaver chewing on a stick or a squirrel leaping from a tree. This style closely emulates many of the meerschaum carving styles of the 19th century. | ||
Baier uses on some of his freehands a technique similar to openwork. He carves channels and openings in the briar giving the overall shape of the pipe an appearance of tiny land bridges or footpaths of beautifully exposed briar. He uses this technique to connect the top of the bowl to the end of the shank where the stem is joined or around the front of the bowl to the foot. Whenever possible, he leaves the very attractive, original rough outer surface of the briar intact on the bowl's top and bridgework. This gives the 'bridgework' a natural appearance and feel of a real footpath through the woods. | Baier uses on some of his freehands a technique similar to openwork. He carves channels and openings in the briar giving the overall shape of the pipe an appearance of tiny land bridges or footpaths of beautifully exposed briar. He uses this technique to connect the top of the bowl to the end of the shank where the stem is joined or around the front of the bowl to the foot. Whenever possible, he leaves the very attractive, original rough outer surface of the briar intact on the bowl's top and bridgework. This gives the 'bridgework' a natural appearance and feel of a real footpath through the woods. | ||
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Once a block has been decided upon for carving, he roughs out the shape with the band saw. Baier then uses knives and files to carefully refine the shape and smooth the contours and curves of his work of art. He smoothes and polishes the wood with several grades of sandpaper. a light coat of alchohol-based stain is applied to bring out the beauty and grain of the pipe. The wood is then finished with a natural vegetable wax for a light sheen. Baier uses vulcanite and lucite stems for his pipes. The final phase to complete his pipe is to match the shape and style of the pipe with a compatible stem. Alfred Baier engraves his name and date on the shank of the pipe with a compatible stem. All of his pipes are commissioned by clients and sold direct. | Once a block has been decided upon for carving, he roughs out the shape with the band saw. Baier then uses knives and files to carefully refine the shape and smooth the contours and curves of his work of art. He smoothes and polishes the wood with several grades of sandpaper. a light coat of alchohol-based stain is applied to bring out the beauty and grain of the pipe. The wood is then finished with a natural vegetable wax for a light sheen. Baier uses vulcanite and lucite stems for his pipes. The final phase to complete his pipe is to match the shape and style of the pipe with a compatible stem. Alfred Baier engraves his name and date on the shank of the pipe with a compatible stem. All of his pipes are commissioned by clients and sold direct. | ||
Alfred Baier is a member of several regional and national sculpture and wood carving associations. In 1981, he was presented with an award for Excellence in Pipe Crafting by the | Alfred Baier is a member of several regional and national sculpture and wood carving associations. In 1981, he was presented with an award for Excellence in Pipe Crafting by the [[Confrérie des maîtres-pipiers]] in Saint-Claude, France." | ||
== How to commission a figural pipe == | == How to commission a figural pipe == | ||
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My figural carved pipes start at $350 for a simple relief carving on the bowl. Pipes with a complete carving in-the-round start at $500. | My figural carved pipes start at $350 for a simple relief carving on the bowl. Pipes with a complete carving in-the-round start at $500. | ||
Upon receipt of a 50% deposit, I then execute the pipe over a period of anywhere from three weeks to a month or longer, depending on complexity of design and back log of orders. | Upon receipt of a 50% deposit, I then execute the pipe over a period of anywhere from three weeks to a month or longer, depending on complexity of design and back log of orders. | ||
<center><gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="Example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka> | |||
File:Baier94Freehand2.jpg | |||
File:Baier94Freehand5.jpg | |||
File:Baier94Freehand6.jpg | |||
</gallery></center> | |||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | |||
[[Category: United States]] | |||