Misc. Estates: Jerry Zenn Smooth Blowfish (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

One of East Asia's foremost pipe carvers, Jerry Zenn is a Taiwanese artisan who spent 25 years of his professional life as an automotive mechanic. The line drawn between the two may not be clear at first, though his experience with meeting exacting tolerances and ensuring proper fitment of parts speaks otherwise, as both are extremely important when crafting high-quality pipes. This Blowfish is a stylish rendition of the modern classic shape and presents with a form that merges firm, rigid edges with softly curved lines. What makes this particular iteration of that technique most notable here, however, is that the separation between the two concepts is clearly defined: If this pipe were split directly down the middle, either side would embody a different visual language. The left flank here displays every bit of this pipe's firm, solid lines, including the shape's iconic paneling, and a square, paneled shank. Another ridgeline wraps around the outside of the first at the bowl, further cementing its solidness and the separation of this solidness from the other flank of the stummel. On this opposite side we see the bowl take on a more Apple-like shape, with supple contours for the fingers to appreciate, while the shank is completely absent its squared-off look save for a single ridge along the underside. Dressed in a warm auburn stain, this piece showcases plenty of handsome grain, with birdseye along the underside and flame grain around the flanks.