American Estates: Todd Johnson Partially Sandblasted Elephant's Foot Sitter (Phalanx) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Todd Johnson enjoys a well-earned reputation as one of the preeminent American pipe makers, having built a successful career over the past few decades for crafting sculptural and artistic pieces, all imbued with impeccable attention to detail. He's studied under such legends as Tom Eltang and Anne Julie, often incorporating Danish design into his work while maintaining his own individualized design style.

This Elephant's Foot is a far less common shape contained within Todd's portfolio. Furthermore, he has designated this piece with his fairly rare Phalanx grade, which is only topped by the Phalanx Q assignation.

The Elephant's Foot was originally designed by Danish artisan Bo Nordh and usually orients the briar's grain horizontally, with a demarcating panel descending from the rim through the center of either flank as seen here. The shape itself is a difficult one to create since the grain orientation is paramount to execute the form well. This particular pipe presents the forward-urging bowl with a more supple, hearty disposition than is often seen, as many such renditions from other pipe makers are far more angular. The gently sloping rim and high waist taper toward a tiny, flattened heel that allows the piece to sit. The shank curls quickly upward, flaring at its asymmetric end, and is topped by a stylish, hand-cut vulcanite stem. The ebony-hues of the mouthpiece are mirrored in one of Todd's dark, craggy sandblasts that covers part of the stummel. Otherwise, a smooth auburn contrast stain remains, highlighting beautiful cross grain on the aforementioned panels. Presented unsmoked.