Misc. Estates: Michail Kyriazanos Sandblasted Billiard with Silver Army Mount (2018) Tobacco Pipe

Greek artisan Michail Kyriazanos takes inspiration from the Anglo-French marques of years past, holding a deeply-ingrained respect for a shaping tradition he sees as being committed to excellent functionality and aesthetic perfection without excess. His commitment to this style of shaping without superfluousness is even reflected in his logo, a re-imagined homage to Cycladic art figurines which are the oldest known intentionally minimalist art, and in his pipe making work as well. Many of his works additionally showcase designs which call to mind both the Danish and Japanese styles of pipe making

This Billiard is an extremely traditional take on the shape, and it's a style that's not unprecedented in Kyriazanos' portfolio, his love for Old-World shaping styles on full display here. A wide transition gives way to a tapering shank that's met with a domed military mount of elegant silver, married, then, to a sleekly tapering stem of jet-black vulcanite. This pairing slenderizes the aft side significantly, placing much of the visual focus on the bowl, but not so much that the bowl becomes the sole focus of this composition. Said bowl stands atop a rounded heel and grows a low-set waistline that leads into sleekly tapering walls which terminate at a flat rim, the understated curvature of the bowl's shape offering a comfortable feel in hand. Traditionally appointed with an inky sandblast, the stummel here showcases plenty of handsome grain, all while the silver accent offers a rich contrast.