Stephen Downie Carved Bent Apple with Mastodon Ivory (2009) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Stephen Downie is known for creating exceptionally complex, intricately-carved pipes that are as much art, as smoking instruments. This bent Apple with its roiling, detailed flame carving is, believe it or not, a simple piece compared to many of his other creations. Even with all those winding, flickering lines going on, Stephen didn't neglect the grain in the least; a lovely cross-grain runs down the center, and each flank's carving frames a gorgeous, smoky display of birdseye.

- Eric N. Squires