Smooth Rhodesian with Bamboo (IV.13) Tobacco Pipe

While most of Michael's work falls into variations of classic English pieces, he does like to experiment with other approaches when he gets the chance. In this case, he appears to have taken a nod from the Italian school, presenting us with a big and bold Rhodesian sporting extra-stout proportions from end to end - two fat knuckles worth of bamboo included. While perfectly smooth to the touch, the broad-chambered, thick-walled bowl is, unsurprisingly, possessed of a very solid feel in hand, which is just as it should be in a polished, yet masculine design like this. And of course, also as you might hope, that hearty neoclassical shaping also means this Rhodesian sits just fine, without any need of having a form-interrupting flat shaved off the underside.

- Eric N. Squires