German Estates: Manuel Shaabi Smooth Bent Egg Tobacco Pipe

Manuel Shaabi has long possessed an aptitude for handcrafted woodwork, having apprenticed as a wood sculptor and cabinet maker in Lebanon, where he was born and raised. In the wake of the Lebanese Civil War, Shaabi would move to Bavaria, Germany in 1979, where he would further employ his woodworking talents by furnishing and restoring sculptures and figurines in churches and cathedrals. He would continue his cabinet-making work, his prowess earning him numerous awards. As such, Shaabi's background is evident in his meticulous craftsmanship and engineering. His style evokes an artistic character, combining ornate designs with a graceful sense of line, as seen in this bent Egg rendition. The composition sees a tall bowl poised atop a sweeping heel, from which smooth, supple walls curve toward the chamfered rim, framing a deep chamber within the figure. An oval shank shows a sinuous upward curve out back, joining to a gracefully arcing saddle stem to form a fluid profile. Dressing the stummel is a warm hazelnut stain that highlights healthy grain throughout.