Smooth Reverse Calabash Bent Apple with Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

On first glance, there was something about this Sam Cui that made me think it was a Blowfish; just for a second, and before I'd picked it up to realise that it is, in fact, a remarkably symmetrical bent Apple. The shank though, stout, panelled, and rising surely and powerfully from a mid-set transition, just hinted at the possibility. Turns out there was a good reason for this though, as tucked away inside that powerful shank is a cooling chamber, making this the second reverse Calabash we've seen from the Chinese carver since we brought him on at the end of January. Adorning this cooling chamber is a boxwood mount and stem base, contrasting the warm russet stain without distracting from the subtle contrast of the flame grain surrounding the bowl.

- Adam O'Neill