American Estates: J. Alan Smooth Tulip with Boxwood (1468) (2018)

This is the most understated Tulip rendition I think I've seen from Jeff Gracik, as the characteristically Danish-looking form commonly features a crown of craggy plateau about the rim. There's less overt height thrown to the bowl here as well, and the American carver has neatly distributed a little more proportional focus to the shank as well. Though not exactly forgoing the additional mass up front, Jeff rendered the bowl a bit more squat, as well as a bit more forward canted, making for a form steeped more in implied forward motion than those previous, upward-reaching numbers. For the finish, Jeff dressed this piece in dazzling contrast, accentuating a feathery dance of flame grain and birdseye as far as the eye can see. Windswept streaks burst across the shank, guiding the eye to a mount of honey blonde boxwood. The saddle stem is ever-so-slightly turned downward, bolstering an s-curve that gradually crescendos in vigor as the eye travels from bit to rim.