Sandblasted Bent Dublin Tobacco Pipe

Scottie Piersel possesses artistic dexterity and creative vision that, combined with her tooling skills, produce original interpretations that continue to impress and even astound me. Her pencil-shanked "Scottie" pipes are perhaps her most recognizable, though calling them "pencil-shanked" is to imbue them with far more diameter than she permits, preferring the thinnest of possible proportions more similar to stir sticks than pencils. This piece, however, is an example of what she can do with more traditional executions. It's obvious from the photos that Scottie has extended the proportions of the average Dublin, here lengthening the form with a lithe, serpentine curve and re-curve of shank and stem.

The transition for this composition is nearly nonexistent, its inside curves barely more obvious than those of a free-flowing Horn. That design element harmonizes with the serpentine character of the shank and stem, offering a well-rounded area above the transition for comfortably draping a thumb while smoking. The medium-shallow sandblast contributes to the aesthetic, maintaining a smooth-while-textured disposition that resonates with the long, slender curves of the piece. A cumberland stem provides traditional appeal, and the smoothly rounded and concave rim contributes to that element with subtle contrast of color and texture.

Scottie Piersel is an impressive craftsman. Craftsperson. Whatever, she's impressive, not only as a designer with visionary reach, but as a technically skilled pipe maker who continues to surpass our expectations with compositions of unique and inspiring appeal.