Smooth Dublin with Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

Recently, we've seen Ping Zhan do some very interesting things with horn, fashioning the natural medium into shank extensions which not only emulate the shape of bamboo, but depict the material right down to the fine creases found at the base of each knuckle and their just-right degree of natural, organic asymmetry. That said, Ping Zhan is also quite talented in working with actual bamboo. He pays careful attention to the spacing and rhythm between the knuckles, shank, and stem base, and knows exactly which forms work best to complement the medium.

We see a fine example of that here in this straight Dublin shape — the stummel itself displaying a rather organic, almost floral character in its rolling, asymmetrical plateau crown, matching the organic material beautifully. Even the overall shade of the bamboo itself complements the fiery contrast stain he used for the briar, highlighting the block's natural flame grain patterns with vivid definition. Moreover, what's interesting about this particular design is that, while most of both the horn and bamboo-adorned designs we've seen from Ping in the past have been bent configurations, here he's kept things straight and rather streamlined — a subtle change which actually works to lend more visual weight to the presence of organic asymmetry, I think, really highlighting the shape's floral component. Simply beautiful work from Ping, here.

- Andrew Wike