Smooth Bulldog Tobacco Pipe

While his Apples and Brandies are all quite impressive, I'm particularly fond of Kurt Balleby's Bulldog shapes; he just has a penchant for the traditional English design, adapting the archetype and changing the linework, stance, and distribution of visual weight until it's all his own. In this example, he's swapped out the traditional diamond shank for a hexagonal one, facing off either side of the shank for a firmer, more streamlined look in profile. What's more, he's continued the lines of the paneled shank through the transition and into the bowl itself, really driving home that streamlined aesthetic. Presented here in one of the carvers gorgeous walnut contrast stains, it's just a beautiful piece all around.