Two Pipe Smooth Bamboo Set with Stand and Tamper (Phalanx) Tobacco Pipe

A consummate showman, American carver Todd Johnson enjoys more meticulous undertakings such as this, as evidenced by his comprehensive, musically-themed 21-pipe collector's set, fashioned with a 1920s-era Gramophone and a hand-built guitar with an integrated cigar humidor, for example. He's finished pipes in 24K gold leaf and even rendered a Nautilus shape from the shell of an actual nautilus. That being said, this two pipe set, complete with stand and horn tamper, might be considered relatively tame.

A unique presentation with an idiosyncratic raison d'être, this set is something of a play on complementary geometry. Indeed, Todd set out to fashion a pair of forms that act as inverses of themselves in a way, choosing to shape them both from the same choice block of briar, and adorning them with bamboo shank extensions from Todd's special stock. The distinctly forward-drooping silhouette of a Ballerina/Matador hybrid shape seems to beckon the eye first, the form's intrinsically poised, alert presence amplified by use of a seriously upward-kicking, neatly-curved bamboo shank extension. In contrast to this, the sharply-faceted Elephant's Foot is complemented by a more languid, sprawling stretch of the stuff, presenting an easy, rearward-inclined sense of reach, and making for a graceful S-curve in profile.

As for the stand, it's fashioned from Macassar ebony, divided into four interlocking planes to further reinforce the set's delicate geometrical dance, and treated to a vibrant, smoldering contrast. With both black calfskin and brown, vegetable-tanned full-grain leather upholstery, the showcase is complete with a beautiful, creamy horn tamper. Both pieces are Phalanx grade, of course, which is Todd's highest. Needless to say, this show is nothing short of breathtaking.