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Sidrit Skender Vaqari - The Black Eagle of Albanian Woodcarving

2/11/2016

20 Comments

 
PictureIn homage to the Albanian flag!
It's very rare that I enjoy an artist working past 1930.  There are some,  of course,  but they're usually inspired by and deal very deeply in the skills that made, say, the academic classicists so powerful and compelling.  One of the current facets of art that still manages to grab me is woodcarving.  There are so many people doing wonders in wood (though still infinitesimally fewer than there were in the "olden days").  I've also fallen in love with the art of pipemaking,  and there are a legion of guys making wonderful things to puff tobacco from.  This is what brought me to this great craftsman,  Sidrit Skender Vaqari...he's got skills.

Born in Tirana,  Albania in 1982,  Sidrit studied sculpture at the fine arts academy there.  He's been a professional carver for fifteen years,  but with the incredibly mature skills that he puts to use in these pieces of practical art,  it seems like he should be a wizened old man!  His education in sculpture really shows in his eye for proportion,  and his taste in subject matter is quite broad;  everything from Michelangelo's David,  to the warrior Dwarf Gimli from the Fellowship of the Rings.  It's very inspiring stuff.  The professional European and Turkish pipemakers really put a great deal of time and imagination into their work,  and Sidrit is very much of that old school tradition...in spite of his youth and full-arm tattoos!  Look at the detailing in the Gimli pipe below;  the beard braids alone are exceptionally imaginative.   It's great work.  I imagine they must also be a pleasure to smoke,  as well,  so if you're interested in owning one of these masterpieces in briar wood,  click on this link HERE and/or HERE (if you're on Facebook).  He's a very nice guy and responds to inquiries quickly and politely.

20 Comments
Eric
2/12/2016 10:45:49 am

I really think he is the greatest briar carver I have ever seen. And I've been studying pipes closely for thirty five years. The only thing close are the exquisitely carved meers of yesteryear. In time his pipes will become priceless.

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Clayton
2/12/2016 12:13:44 pm

I agree. When I look at the old-school pipes, it kills me that one can't really find any of new make like that.

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James
2/12/2016 10:47:19 am

Nice article...and I agree 100%. Some of the finest carving I have had the pleasure of seeing!

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Clayton
2/12/2016 12:15:07 pm

Thanks! It's a joy to share such awesome skills.

I hope to buy one one of these days!

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Michael Post
2/12/2016 01:22:44 pm

I'm really liking his carving! My dad used to carve alot of really cool things in wood and I'm inspired by these really nice pipes. thanks.

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Clayton
2/12/2016 01:26:43 pm

Me too! I'm about to start carving a Meerschaum pipe, and he's given me so many ideas!

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Jerry E
2/12/2016 01:25:42 pm

Are those real pipes? Like for smoking? Cool! I used to smoke, but my wife has problems breathing so I gave it up. I'm also a big LoTR fan, so this is doubly great!

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Clayton
2/12/2016 01:27:41 pm

Yep, 100% real and smokable pieces of museum-quality art.

I'm a Tolkien fan as well!

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Michael Thompson
2/13/2016 08:23:09 am

Wow! I mean WOW! I wonder how much the Gimli pipe costs? I love that, it's a major work of art. I don't smoke, but I'm interested in pipes as a culture. Wow.

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Clayton
2/13/2016 08:24:09 am

The Gimli is now sold. Sidrit is always carving, though. I believe that he's just started on a Strider pipe!

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Lisa K
2/13/2016 08:42:23 am

I like the maroon finish on those pipes. Do you know what kind of stain he uses? It's really very pretty. I do some simple wood projects, and I'd love to have that color. It must be organic, so that it doesn't get into the taste of the smoke, right?

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Clayton
2/13/2016 08:48:08 am

Hi! Sidrit says that he uses Red #301. It does look good, doesn't it? The eye of an artist, that guy. :)

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SHQIPE
2/13/2016 09:00:50 am

Very good idea with the picture with two heads. :)))))) This is for the flag of Albania my country did you know? I like this pipe work too much and I like your website too.

Blessing from Albania.

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Clayton
2/13/2016 09:03:45 am

Gëzohem që të takova, friend. I did know about the Albanian flag, yes. I hope that more people can see this great art from Albania; Albania is a beautiful country, and God willing it will succeed in the world. Thank you for your blessing!

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David Oliphant
2/13/2016 10:39:29 am

I like it. Wish I could do it.

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Clayton
2/13/2016 10:39:56 am

Me too. Me too.

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Juli Moss
2/13/2016 12:46:27 pm

I looked up Albania on Google, becasue I never heard of it. If the artists there are all good like this I would like it I think. I love the Hobbit books bigtime and my dad and my husband smoke very cool pipes that are Hobbit style that are very long. I wish I could buy one of these for my husband he would love me forever. ;P

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Clayton
2/13/2016 12:51:29 pm

Hi Juli, thanks for your comment.

Albania is an amazing country with an amazing history. Apparently there are Albanians that like the Hobbit, too! I'm glad that your guys enjoy pipes; The Lord of the Rings has contributed to the popularity of the pipe immensely.

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Kurt
2/14/2016 12:56:46 pm

Whoa!

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Clayton
2/14/2016 12:57:08 pm

Yeah!

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