Michael Butera Prima Vera Royal Vintage Classic Bent Apple (9) (10) (B71) Tobacco Pipe

Michael Butera has been crafting pipes since the '70s, and he has trained many of today's well-known American artisans, including Larry Roush, Steve Weiner, and Michael Frey. Since he produces a limited number of pipes, estate offerings from Butera are a rare treat for collectors, making this bent Apple quite a special find. Gracefully fluid in profile and dressed in a satisfyingly crisp sandblast, it's certainly a fetching piece. The slant of the bowl's aft wall implies a strong, forward-urging sense of momentum, which is furthered by the sweeping curvature of the shank-and-stem arrangement. The earthy sandblast draws out tight stacks of ring grain in high relief, while the rim of the bowl remains smooth, showcasing tight curlicues of impressive birdseye. With a chamber depth of nearly 1.7 inches, the bowl is primed to accommodate a variety of blends, and the sinuous shank and stem offer a comfortable clench.