Smooth Bent Apple (D) Tobacco Pipe

Max Rimensi bought his first pipe in 1990 and was soon making pipes, because he couldn't help himself. He'd become enamored with the utilitarian art pieces and had to pursue them creatively. As we can easily recognize, he did pretty well. This smooth Apple certainly displays traditional Danish shaping cues, pointing to some of Max's influences, though the overall robust aesthetic of the thick shank may be interpreted as from the Italian school. However, the comparative size of the bowl seems to thwart that interpretation. The important aspect is that Max clearly demonstrates his adept ability to absorb elements from the various pipemaking schools and combines them in his own impressive way.

The grain of this piece is particularly impressive, especially when highlighted by Max's contrast staining technique. Completely wrapping the bowl with fine tendrils, the grain continues along the sides of the oversized, expanding shank, leaving a wide expanse of birdseye at the heel and bottom of the shank as well as a thin ribbon of birdseye situated at the top. The rim maintains that same birdseye, and while not particularly wide, it houses remarkably dense birsdseye. This pipe will also sit stably, and rock back and forth if you like. A fairly small pipe, though not a nosewarmer, it's charmingly compact in hand, balanced for comfort, and has the potential to be the gem of many pipe collections.