Smooth Natural Billiard with Horn (Snail) (M) Tobacco Pipe

Tom Eltang knew when he was a child that he wanted to be a pipe maker. At age 16, he apprenticed to Anne Julie, and his career in pipe making began. After working with Julie for three years, he moved onto the Pipe Dan workshop and later to Stanwell. Then Eltang set out on his own in 1980, and has crafted pipes under his name ever since. Based in a workshop in Copenhagen, Eltang produces nearly any shape one can think of and utilizes myriad finishes. Although Eltang's catalog of pipes is vast, they are all united by his classic Danish style.

It's always a pleasure to see a master of the craft lend their talents to an archetypal shape, such as this Billiard by Tom Eltang. The proportions here are superb, the supple bowl and rounded shank matching in length and height, while the stem is exactly as long as the stummel. The shaping is exquisite as well, especially the subtle cheeking at the transition and the gently inflated rim. However, what makes this piece truly extraordinary is the stunning grain. The bowl is encircled by wispy tendrils of straight grain, rising from the underside to the rim, both of which showcase mesmerizing birdseye swirls. Furthermore, undulating growth rings are strikingly visible, providing a perpendicular partner to the immaculate straight grain. To dress the grain, Eltang employs a natural stain, choosing to showcase the naked hues of briar grain in all its organic glory. Additionally, the stummel is complemented by a horn accent, the creamy white and chocolate hues imbuing the composition with a flash of visual intrigue. Also, the horn curves inward at the shank face, making the transition to the jet-black vulcanite stem absolutely seamless. Overall, this Billiard by Tom Eltang exudes the timeless appeal that makes the shape so iconic in the pipe-making world.