Danish Estates: Johannes Hoffmann Smooth Rhodesian with Maple (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Crafted by Danish artisan Johannes Hoffmann, this Rhodesian is a handsome piece with a unique look, its construction seemingly a portmanteau of its namesake and the bent Apple. The transition here is wide, with plenty of room to drape a digit, and it gives way to a lifting shank whose rather slender build is met with a band of maple at the junction to a sleek, semi-half-saddle stem of black vulcanite. This shank and stem combination is reservedly sinuous, with a softly fluid curvature that offers a comfortable smoking posture. Up front, the bowl stands atop a sweeping heel, its walls boasting a low-set waistline before taking on a supple, arcing taper to the rim. The top of the bowl is lined with a pair of crisp beadlines, defining the start of a more pronounced taper compared to the lower walls, a subversion of the expected Rhodesian outline that eschews the more commonly seen dual taper configuration of the bowl. Dressed in a warm, rich, auburn-hued stain, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout, with flame grain surrounding the bowl.