Abe Herbaugh: Partially Sandblasted Mushroom Tobacco Pipe

The Mushroom design was notably pioneered by Danish legend Jess Chonowitsch and has been reinterpreted by countless carvers within modern pipemaking. It's a shape favored by Abe Herbaugh, the American artisan having produced several renditions over the past few years with some adhering to Jess' archetypal model or altering various aspects of the overall design. This particular offering is a playful, gestural take and an impressive piece of craftsmanship that demonstrates Abe's skill with the shape.

What immediately grabbed my attention is how Herbaugh has employed a teardrop motif at both the shank face and rim, perfectly mirroring each other and creating an asymmetrical effect when examined from the smoker's perspective. A firm ridgeline travels along the shank's left side, connecting both points and accentuating the composition's curling, gestural nature. The stummel's dual finish offers even more visual and textural intrigue, with waves of rippling grain creeping up the bowl's flanks. The domed rim and inflated shank face are left smooth for contrast, the mortise reinforced with a brass inset ring for a mount-style tenon configuration. It's a beautiful piece that seamlessly merges Abe's own creative style with the Danish design, resulting in a unique rendition.