Jef Nicolier

Legnu Nustrale

Woodturner

©JCAttard

©Jef Nicolier

©Frédéric Mortain

©JCAttard

Connoisseur of Corsican pipes

Jef is a pipe maker and woodturner
His atelier, Legnu Nustrale, opened in 1992
He has been working with wood since his childhood

Based in Fozzano, a typical Corsican village, Jef Nicolier is one of the last pipe makers on the island. He discovered the craft quite randomly by participating in a workshop a friend suggested to him. Trained to the Saint Claude technique, Jef’s pipes are made from briar root, which he likes to combine with galalith or asphodel. Besides smoking instruments, Jef creates pens and perfume sprays, made of other local woods such as olive or cork oak. Naturally marbled tones, dark and light contrasts, the woodturner likes to mix and play with the character of the material. Each object is unique: “I do not sketch: the wood lathe is my initiator of forms.”

Interview

©Susan Allnutt

©Jef Nicolier

When did you decide to start this craft?: When I took part in a workshop at the agricultural school of Sartène. The idea was to teach us to transform a local material, traditional “ébauches” – straight wood blocks made with briar root – which only grows in the Mediterranean, into finished pipes, giving them a local added value.
How do you express tradition in your work?: In my use of local woods. At the moment I am still using wood blocks that were cut by the last remaining sawyer in 2004, he has been cutting wood for 60 years. For the pens and perfume sprays I make, I use local wood that I collect and saw myself.
What makes a well made pipe to you?: To me, it is first and foremost about function. If the object works well it is well made. All the pipes I designed are tested (at the prototype stage) by friends who smoke, and I always feel quite emotional when I see them smoking one of my pipes for the first time.
Do you think your profession will disappear?: I believe not. I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop in the Fablab of Corte, I saw lots of interest in what I showed which gave me great reassurance. I collaborated with a young designer on an idea to mix our knowledge to create objects that derived from both turning and digital control.

Jef Nicolier is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1989