Sandblasted Nautilus Calabash with Spalted Tamarind (G) Tobacco Pipe

I've seen some pretty awkward renditions of the Nautilus shape from less experienced carvers, but there's no danger of that with Sabina Santos of Portugal. This piece is wonderfully shaped and executed, with a deep, dark sandblast contrasted by the pale tones of the removable spalted tamarind cap. The random dark lines across the tamarind are made by insects as the wood lays on the forest floor, before it's stabilized for woodworking.

With a slight forward point to its shape, the cap is broad with an inner circle gently concave. The tobacco chamber is of course made of briar to maintain the briar smoking qualities so many admire. The curl of the shank is centered on the stummel rather than styled with asymmetry, creating a well-balanced composition. The stem is slight, thin, and long, with its flat saddle mouthpiece providing lots of comfort to accompany the fine balance of this pipe, which is perfectly capable of holding the mantle of centerpiece in any collection.