Smooth Horn with Silver (01) Tobacco Pipe

Li Zhesong draws heavily from the classic Danish tradition, listing as his influences legendary carvers like Jess, Sixten, and Bo Nordh. That tradition is most definitely on display here in this elegant, sweeping rendition of the timeless Horn. In profile, the composition is defined by one continuous, upward arcing line, accentuated by the strong taper to the fore and aft. Rather than lending the form a more architectural style like that found in Sixten's classic Oliphant, however, he's focused on a suave finesse, further emphasizing that continuous defining line with an overarching smoothness and curvature.

Being the meticulous perfectionist he is, Li simply won't accept anything but his very best — a virtue brought to light here in his execution. He's framed this elegant, sinuous shape to perfectly suite the grain, lining that aforementioned continuous line with dense crossgrain, leaving only seas of birdseye to the fore and aft, not to mention acres of the stuff scattered across the domed rim. If this lovely briar is any indication, I think we can expect some truly great things from Li. Simply beautiful.

- Andrew Wike