Misc. Estates: Nikolay Kozyrev Sandblasted Billiard Tobacco Pipe

The classic, tapered stem straight Billiard isn't a design we've seen too often from Nikolay Kozyrev. Typically, the Russian carver likes to accent his straight Billiards with bamboo or horn and fit them with a saddle stem. Not so here, though, and the results are marvelous: a traditional, arrow straight design that flows smoothly and uninterrupted throughout. A slight but gradual taper from heel to rim balances well with the tapering stem, lending the piece the softness so characteristic of the Danish school. Nikolay's penchant for Danish classics is even more apparent in the finish, as the piece wears a light-depth sandblast to maintain the silhouette's lines and features a polished rim up top. While the shape and sandblast call to mind Danish-style Billiards, the rust red stain is more reminiscent of certain English finishes, Kozyrev deftly merging styles in one coherent piece.