Sandblasted Tomato with Bamboo and Boxwood (B) Tobacco Pipe

This Tomato from Max Rimensi is a charming, organic rendition and utilizes bamboo, which is a material less often seen in the Italian carver's work, at least when compared to his extensive use of morta. This offering fits right in with Max's style of expertly crafted pieces that are full of easy curves and rife with organicism. The bowl is exceptionally broad and high-waisted, with its transition tightly tucked underneath the bulging chamber walls, giving the bowl a touch of forward cant in the process. This particular piece of bamboo is scale-like in its appearance and quite rugged, adding even more textural diversity to the composition. It serves not only to extend the shank, but it also accentuates the organic nature of the entire piece. The boxwood accent on the stem base continues the rhythmic spacing of the bamboo nicely, complementing the color of the material as well. Both materials provide just enough contrast to the stummel's extra dark sandblast without being too distracting. It's an impressive piece that's sure to spice up any rotation.