English Estates: Ashton Old Church Bent Billiard (XXX) (2018) Tobacco Pipe

William Ashton-Taylor, the founder of the Ashton brand, began his pipe-making studies at a mere fifteen years of age as an assistant in Dunhill's workshop. He demonstrated great interest in and talent for the craft, which led him to move up through the ranks before he eventually left to start his own company. The stem's prominent bend paired with the acute transition from the angled shank lends a comfortable jaw hanging posture typical of bent Billiards. When viewing the pipe's right flank, one can see majestic arcs of cross grain sweeping from the rim, down around the wide heel, and towards the shank's aft. The sandblasting that made this cross grain so prominent also created a rough texture from the birdseye reminiscent of pumice. Green and black brindled hues in the vulcanite saddle stem provide an interesting juxtaposition with the stummel's Windsor tan.