Smooth Blowfish with Corian Tobacco Pipe

Chris Asteriou is a Greek pipe maker who has crafted pipes since 2007. With a background in Industrial Design and Architecture, Asteriou is well suited for creating functional pipe designs of immense aesthetic appeal. Initially, Asteriou's style was defined by classic Anglo-French shaping, crafting shape-chart standards with machine-like precision. However, Asteriou now incorporates more Danish and Japanese pipe making elements into his pipes, and one is just as likely to see a shapely Freehand from Asteriou as a traditional Billiard.

Although most Blowfish exhibit asymmetry, it is especially pronounced on this example from Chris Asteriou. The profile is framed by an arcing, rectangular facet that sweeps along the underside and rises to the rim all while framing an unbroken stretch of cross grain, a staple of the Blowfish shape. However, the ridge is positioned closer to the left flank than usual, as it is usually positioned in the center, dividing each flank. Furthermore, the facet ends at the transition, which allows the left flank of the shank to showcase a shapely contour that displays both birdseye and cross grain. The bowl's left flank is more typical for the shape, presenting a swath of tightly-packed birdseye across its shapely surface, which even exhibits a flourish of concavity near the rear ridgeline. The right flank, however, presents a pronounced asymmetric construction, with a sharp ridge diagonally bisecting the flank as it arcs from the rim's fore to the transition, seamlessly blending into the briar as it does so. Furthermore, the right flank displays an unbroken stretch of birdseye from rim to shank end. Said shank end features a textural flourish, a kiss of rugged plateau on the right flank, and a visual one, a blue-and-white speckled Corian accent on the stem base, providing a wealth of contrast to the auburn smooth finish that dresses the stummel.