Sandblasted Rhodesian with Silver (101/19) Tobacco Pipe

It's no secret that Chris Asteriou loves vintage English and French shapes. The Greek carver will happily confess this to anyone in person, and his portfolio expresses this love even more strongly. From his traditional Billiard, Lovat, Canadian, and Liverpool renditions to his even emulating specific pieces from Comoy's and Peterson, Asteriou's work reflects artisan quality and timeless, classic appeal, paying homage to the early days of pipemaking — often adorned with sterling silver to further the classic English appeal.

Like his renditions of Comoy's "283" Rhodesian, Chris here presents his take on the English marque's bent version, the "284." Both shapes are defined by muscular proportions and compact style, the shank and transition matching the bowl's bulbous disposition. In this piece, though, Asteriou has made his own creative alterations to display a more flowing grace. Most notably, this aesthetic is realized through the trimmer style of heel and the upward curling orientation of the shank, whereas the Comoy's design is more angled rather than curved. A single beadline demarcates the rim's taper, camouflaged underneath the dense sandblast. Per his typical convention, Chris has accented this piece with a slender wedding band of sterling silver. Such an accoutrement adds regal flash to the composition, and its slender shaping juxtaposes against the stummel's robust shaping, effectively trimming down the entire piece in profile.