Misc. Estates: Martin Cermak Sandblasted Tulip (2SB 13122) Tobacco Pipe

Based out of the Czech Republic, Martin Cermak was initially introduced to pipe smoking by a friend but wasn't drawn to the hobby right away. It wasn't until he discovered the charm of vintage pieces he purchased that he developed a connection to pipes, taking time to restore and study them before selling them as estates. Cermak's natural curiosity eventually led him to create pipes of his own, learning how a pipe functions and how he could push the limits in terms of shaping and modifications.

This Tulip is a handsomely classical piece which is yet touched with a healthy bit of modernist flair. Immediately I'm struck with the Belge-like quality of this silhouette, the bowl embodying this look with a supple expansion upward toward a high-set waist. From here, the bowl tapers toward the rim, with the rim itself being raised at the fore and dipped near the midsection. This structure sits atop a slightly pointed heel that's centered almost exactly below the cheeked transition, with said transition leading to a softly tapering shank. At the junction the shank is met by a fitment of mint green vulcanite that's domed, married to a matching saddle stem with an expansion-ring-marked base whose extended bit keeps the aft of this piece remarkably sleek. Lightweight and handy, this compact pipe is a lovely offering from Cermak, and its stummel is dressed in a dark, inky sandblast that reveals handsome grain.