Smooth Bent Dublin with Bamboo (19) Tobacco Pipe

Executing such a traditional shape in such a unique style is difficult for all but the most talented carvers, but here Jerry Zenn presents a remarkable rendition with this Dublin. The rim offers a wide swath of darkly stained plateau for contrast of texture and hue, while the chestnut-stained flanks present smooth contrast for the individual filaments of the tight vertical grain that rides up the sides. The heel is stylized with a flattened dome and its prominent forward aspect is especially notable in profile. However, most diverting is the bamboo shank, which offers four tightly bundled knuckles rising in a demure arc to meet the mouthpiece, which presents just a whisper of downward bend for excellent balance both visually and in the jaw. At five-and-a-half inches, it's of a convenient size, and the spectacular character of its combining elements should not only provide many contented smoking hours, but visual interest that will rarely wane.