Abe Herbaugh: Smooth Acorn with Horn Tobacco Pipe

A clear nod to the classic Danish bent Acorn design, this piece from Abe Herbaugh is defined by a consistent "high-waisted" theme. Obviously, this motif is most apparent at the bowl — after all, the Acorn shape itself is defined by a high-waisted bowl that tapers below the bulbous rim to an often pointed heel spur. Abe's done that well here, tucking the transition to accentuate even more the bowl's raised waistline. The shaping cue is echoed, then, at the shank end. Comprised of a generous ferrule of horn the mount bulges at the end, repeated yet again at the base of the push-style stem for a tier-like, stepped aesthetic.

In profile, this piece hews exactingly to the Danish shape; however, Abe hasn't withheld his own creativity when fashioning it. There's a subtle dose of asymmetry to the bowl. It's most noticeable at the undulating rim, which does well to match the orientation of the band of cross grain wrapping around the flanks. The pointed heel below also displays this inconspicuous asymmetry, as the shank's underside curls every so slightly to the left, positioning the spur off-center in relation to the rest of the bowl. It's impressive artistry from Abe, and he's dressed it all quite handsomely in a vivid, honey-blonde contrast stain that shines starkly against the dark hues of the horn and jet-black stem.