Sandblasted Apple with Buddha Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

Short, stout, and, as a result, charmingly stubby, this straight Apple is very much like that of the first pieces we received from Roman Kovalev. The bowl, while still quite plump and broad of chamber, is comparatively compact in relation to the thick buddha bamboo extension — which itself is starkly contrasted by the thin, disc-like stem base and trim bit that follows. That juxtaposition is continued in the finish itself, with the deep texture of the stummel, sandblasted via Roman's own carefully developed technique, offering a stimulating tactile contrast next to the extremely smooth bamboo. All together, it makes for a playful and organic aesthetic, marrying bold proportions with natural asymmetry and excellence in both fit and finish.

- Andrew Wike