Smooth Rhodesian with Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

Low-slung and extremely defined of line, here we have one of Alexander's more Ilsted and Danish-inspired pieces. What the bowl lacks in height, it makes up for it in breadth, with a wide, almost Saucer-like rim. The transition is slender, yet it sweeps ever-so-slightly into the crisp lines of the flattened oval shank. From above, it reminds me of the Ukulele, and a fair amount of Danish interpretations thereof. In profile, however, it takes a far more active stance that I would have expected, with the trim lines of the shank and fluid curve of the heel seemingly propelling the form forward. Quite a fitting shape for this particular block as well, as all that extra width lent to the rim and shank provide a broad canvas for some dense, brilliant whorls of birdseye.

- Andrew Wike