Sandblasted Nautilus Tobacco Pipe

More often seen in Tom's "mini" configurations, this Nautilus from the Eltang workshop is full-sized and sandblasted in a low profile blast that provides stimulating texture and cross-grain orientation. Although generously bent for fine balance, the piece maintains a low vertical profile thanks to the flat, sandblasted rim, which also offers a restrained inner ring of smooth, lightly stained briar revealing excellent contrast-stained, horizontal grain. The underside swoops in consistent curvature up to the curling, stylized nautilus shank. The grain follows the curve of the bowl at 90 degrees with a medium contrast sandblast, its growth rings consistently angling from their axis at the upper shank. It's a remarkable departure from its inherent Horn shaping and provides enormous visual and tactile interest, while the stem tapers outward and then inward again as it reaches to perfectly engineered lip button.