Smooth Bent Stack with Horn Tobacco Pipe

It's true that Alex Florov is a masterful artisan pipe maker, but the uniqueness, precision, and artistic style of his work make me think of him more as a sculptor. Originally a restorer of museum furniture in Moscow, Alex moved to America and became a successful industrial designer before becoming a pipe maker in 2004. His sharp eye for detail and his expert craftsmanship gave him an enormous head start on pipe making, and he has become famous for his sculptural pipes, most of which he carves by hand with chisels for an unparalleled level of precision.

We have seen an incredible array of designs from Florov, and his pieces never fail to inspire, yet he still finds new approaches to pipe shapes, such as this tall, graceful bent Stack. This is the first time we have seen this interpretation, and it is one of pure elegance. A tall, slender bowl swells slightly but manages to retain a lithe profile as it leans forward slightly, perching lightly on a steeply upswept shank. The shank flares into a mount of two-toned horn, with a thin gold-hued band inlaid in the shank face. A curvaceous expansion ring adorns the base of the a willowy vulcanite saddle stem, with Alex's excellent hand shaping around the lip button offering an effortless draw and a comfortable clench.

As with the majority of Alex's pipes, this piece wears a smooth finish, the rich auburn stain illuminating windswept flame grain and concentrations of birdseye. The coloration makes for an excellent juxtaposition with the lighter accent of horn and the jet-black stem, for a nice visual balance all around. This is a pipe that must be held to be appreciated fully, and is hard to put down once picked up. For a discerning collector, it is a rare piece that demands serious consideration, and will make an excellent centerpiece for any collection.