American Estates: Alex Florov Smooth Elephant's Foot with Karelian Birch (2017) Tobacco Pipe

Similar to Alex Florov's Eye of Ra shape, this forward-ebbing Elephant's Foot is defined by a resolute liveliness, with a distinct sense of taper and flare as the travels to the fore or aft. Where the Eye of Ra is considerably more modernist and crisp of line, this piece takes a more rustic, organic approach. Framing the bowl with tight ridge work along with a heel of craggy plateau, Florov opted to go one further, adorning it with an accent of Karelian birch. The coffee-and-cream color of the hardwood complements the dark mocha hue of the stain, where windswept flame travels rapidly across the bowl's surface. A beautiful piece, lightly smoked.