Sandblasted Rhodesian with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Gustavo Cunha has been carving wood since he was 15, starting a fascination that would follow him through the rest of his life, as the Brazilian artisan works full-time as a pipe maker, carving works whose style ranges from timelessly traditional to remarkably sculptural. Influenced by both the Danish style of carving and the geographical and natural iconography of his home country, Cunha's unique sensibilities contribute to a powerful personal voice, as evidenced by this Rhodesian. Remarkably sinuous in silhouette, this pipe boasts a well-developed curvature throughout, and all these delightful curves contribute to a poised and comfortable smoking posture. At just over four and a half inches long, this pipe stands near Nosewarmer dimensions, infusing the composition with a refined kind of portability, while still offering a robust bit of stoutness in hand. The transition here is rather tight, giving way to a thick shank that curls up while tapering to meet a domed fitment of horn that marries the stummel to a smartly bent stem of tapering black vulcanite: the pair lending this piece a wonderful jaw-hanging stance. Up front, a sweeping heel supports the bowl as it grows thick, flaring walls that expand as they reach to a high-set waistline marked by a single beadline, which additionally denotes the profile's iconic taper to the rim. Despite the comparative sleekness of the stem, the aft half's combination admirably balances the visual weight of the bowl, affording this pipe a succinctly muscular look that keeps the eye drawn to the stummel. Said stummel is finished in a crisp tanblast that unveils bands of growth rings in a cross grain pattern, rippling across the walls of the bowl as basins of birdseye stand out at the flanks.