Sandblasted Square Shank Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Given his background as an architect and industrial designer, it's no wonder that Greek carver Chris Asteriou possesses such a masterful understanding of not just what makes a pipe beautiful but also functional. Asteriou is equally at home fashioning Anglo-French classics as he is crafting unique, highly sculptural smoking instruments. This square-shanked Billiard represents something of a middle ground between the two disparate ends of Asteriou's style, being a gently embellished, modernist rendition of an archetypal design. Up front, the tall bowl possesses a Danish-like build, complete with a wide, ample heel and a gradual upward taper that slims the chamber's walls as they approach the rim. A wide transition follows the bowl and marks the start of a thick, paneled shank that reaches out and joins the broad, angular shoulders of a jet-black saddle stem. The pigment of the mouthpiece mirrors the color of the stummel's finish, fostering a cohesive palette throughout composition. A crisp sandblast completes the ensemble and highlights rippling growth rings across the flanks of the bowl.