Sandblasted Strawberry Wood Long Shank Apple (Four Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

This Apple from Federico Becker does well to combine several of Federico Becker's stylistic conventions with a feature not often seen from the Italian carver. First, the color palette is signature Becker, pairing a dark sandblast with a stem of warm-hued cumberland. Second, the underside of the shank extends well into the bowl's heel, creating the subtly pointed spur that defines so much of Federico's work. Lastly, the carver has fashioned this piece from strawberry wood — a material that isn't incredibly common within other artisan's portfolios, yet is readily utilized by Federico. All three of those features make this pipe easily recognized as Becker, but the use of a long shank is a feature not common in his work. It works well with Federico's signature cues, though, offering more surface area on which to showcase the color palette and unique grain of strawberry wood, while also drawing the eye more alluringly toward the pointed heel. Well designed and a creative blend of convention and creativity.