Abe Herbaugh: Partially Sandblasted Spathe Tobacco Pipe

Compact and saturated with personality, this Spathe from Abe Herbaugh reveals craftsmanship beyond the dreams of most. The Spathe is a shape inspired by the reproductive center of the arum flower, and indeed, this piece appears to be ready to blossom outward and release the tight kinetic energy it stores.

The growth rings of the sandblast are wonderfully oriented to meet the lower curve on each side at 90 degrees, and that means plenty of birdseye, especially at the forward flank. Asymmetry is an effective tool here, with the end of the shank curling upward and to the right into a point. The line work follows the edges of a single ridgeline that wraps the perimeter in a smooth path encompassing the piece, matching the smooth, undulating and asymmetrical rim, and widening at the right and left sides when viewed from above. The rim is scalloped, and the dome of the forward side sweeps into the heel and up the far side of the shank. The push-style mouthpiece maintains minimal visual weight and flattens into a gently bent saddle configuration. Beautifully balanced and replete with visual interest, this is a pipe capable of maintaining one's admiration for years to come.