Smooth Lovat with Horn Tobacco Pipe

A soft-lined take on a classic here, this Ping Zhan Lovat offers much in the way of very easy contours, specifically in the manner the carver handled the rim, heel, and taper of the horn accent. The transition is neat and well-defined, while a flattened portion at the underside assures it sits with aplomb. As far as finish goes, a warm contrast highlights a brilliant birdseye-forward cross-cut grain pattern, with birdseye at the aft and fore and cross-grain riding both flanks, forming a lane which rides the length of the shank. The accent presents a shimmering mixture of dark brown and an almost pearlescent cream, and is reinforced with a brass ring around the mortise. An excellent take on the quintessential shape chart standard from Ping Zhan here.

- Daniel Bumgardner