Alexander Tupitsyn: Sandblasted Tomato with Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

The St. Petersburg school of design, pioneered by Vladimir Grechukhin, has left a lasting mark on Russian pipe making — an influence clearly seen in the work of Alexander Tupitsyn. A direct protégé of Grechukhin, Tupitsyn now works alongside him and Sergey Dyomin as part of PS Studio. His approach to pipe making embraces the signature traits of the St. Petersburg style: compact dimensions, bold proportions, and flowing lines. This Tomato shape exemplifies Tupitsyn's artistry, showcasing his exceptional attention to detail and skillful use of accents and finishes.

A graceful interpretation of the classic shape, this piece features a broad, squat bowl set at the fore of an oval shank and a gently curved saddle stem. The shank itself flares subtly from the transition to the stem, its gradual expansion guiding the eye toward the mouthpiece, which is handsomely accented with a bright boxwood band. At the front, the bowl mirrors this sense of movement, its walls rising in a soft, arcing flare from a reserved heel to a wide, rounded rim. Completing the composition is a crisp sandblast finish that reveals striking grain patterns across the stummel.