Sandblasted Swan with Bamboo Carved Horn (1337) Tobacco Pipe

Horn shank extensions carved to evoke the look of natural bamboo is something we've seen from certain carvers before, but this rendition from Jeff is especially interesting. Rather than taking the more commonly-seen approach, evoking the look of often gnarled, playful rhizomes (those that grow below ground), the carver instead chose to shape the creamy material into a form that calls to mind the internodes of the plant's stem. It makes for quite a unique, minimalist approach, pairing brilliantly with the warm-finished bowl's natural texture, the result of a stimulating sandblast. A handy number with just the right bit of dynamism.

- Daniel Bumgardner