Sandblasted Tomato (21/16) Tobacco Pipe

Much like the smooth-finished Brandy also featured in this update, this broad Tomato from Chris Asteriou showcases the Greek artisan's penchant for pairing elegant, smooth Danish lines with the firmer stance of the American Industrial school along the shank and stem. That signature Danish-style, lifting gesture of the heel here is quite pronounced, accentuated even further by the relatively high-set orientation of the bowl's waistline. The shank is pleasingly broad, and together with the overall bend of the shank and stem, it does give the form a much firmer look in profile. But that firmness is countered through a subtle spur positioned along the base, denoting the location where the curling lines of the sandblasted heel and bowl meet the firmer lines of the smooth-polished underside — which, as it happens, sports a gorgeous birdseye pattern. As for the grain of the bowl itself, if you like ring grain, this piece certainly has plenty of it.

- Andrew Wike