Smooth Oom Paul with Horn Tobacco Pipe

While studying in seminary, Brazilian carver Emanuel de Queiroz Emiliano discovered pipe smoking and quickly developed a love for the hobby. Through pipe smoking, he eventually found the artisan work of his fellow countrymen Gustavo Cunha of MarTelo pipes and Flávia Rodrigues. Inspired by their creativity and craftsmanship, Emiliano decided to try his hand at carving a pipe and created his first piece using a drill and a sander. He found immediate success and was flooded with commissions. Over time, he established a workshop in Curitiba, Brazil and continued to develop his skills, seeking tutelage from Angelo Fassi and Angelo del Prete of Il Cerchio pipes. Emiliano crafts a wide range of pipes, from distinctive, sculpture-inspired Freehands to more traditional shape-chart standards, with this Oom Paul being an example of the latter.

Measuring exactly five inches long, this piece boasts a tight-knit build that keeps the bowl and shank closely related. As is traditional for the form, the bowl here is positioned at the fore of a vertically inclined shank-and-stem arrangement, one which promotes a comfortable smoking posture and adds a great deal of verticality to the composition. The bowl subtly tapers from its wide heel to its taut rim, and as it does, it produced a low-set waistline that conforms naturally to the hand. A ruby-hued smooth finish dresses the stummel and highlights birdseye and cross grain across the briar's surface, while an accent of horn adorns the shank end and adds a touch of vibrant color to the pipe's palette. A handsome design, this piece is perfect for those who enjoy elevated renditions of practical shapes.