The Picta series is perhaps my favorite amongst Ser Jacopo's offerings. While that may be in part due to my preference for pipes in the medium-or-smaller size range, it is predominantly because I find these to be some of the most interesting shapes being produced by anyone - shapes worthy of the master artists' works which have inspired them. (In this case it was
Van Gogh's Chair by, of course, Vincent himself.) The combination of arc and taper to this pipe's stem and shank is exquisite, and its natural continuation into a spur below the bowl is as novel as it is fitting. The bowl itself is a perfect little Brandy featuring a polished rim, and the bright silver trim adds just the right contrast to an otherwise rather understated finish.
- Eric N. Squires
