Sandblasted Morta Tomato with Bamboo (B) Tobacco Pipe

A charming, organic number, this morta Tomato from Max is a stunning and welcome addition to the carver's portfolio, as we don't see bamboo utilized as often as, say, morta in the Italian carver's work. It fits naturally with the Italian carver's style, exuding a disposition full of easy curves and apparent organicism. The bowl is broad and well-defined of waistline, with the transition tightly tucked underneath the bulging insulating walls to lend the bowl a slight forward cant. Behind, the knuckles of bamboo seem to telescope toward the stem, curling upward and reinforcing the piece's naturalistic motif. The craftsmanship here is as wonderful as the presentation — the transition from bowl to bamboo to stem, sturdy and seamless, secured by a steel tenon.