Sandblasted Tomato with Bakelite Tobacco Pipe

One of American carver Micah Redmond's signature shapes, the Tomato is one he renders in a variety of forms, some muscular and compact, some more long-shanked and gestural. This pipe is proportionally longer, reminding me of pipes I have seen from Lars Ivaarson, perhaps displaying a more lithe profile, however, with a diminutive, elongated bowl and svelte roundness to its shank. A medium-depth tanblast accentuates excellent growth rings around the bowl, while a saddle stem of pink Bakelite provides a dash of color and gentle downturn. The aesthetic is one of lively grace, and this pipe is destined to become an immediate favorite for the right collector.