Alexander Tupitsyn: Sandblasted Tomato Tobacco Pipe

Pioneered by Vladimir Grechukhin, the St. Petersburg school of design has influenced many of Russia's most notable carvers, with Alexander Tupitsyn being a prime example. Tupitsyn studied directly under Grechukhin, and the two, along with Sergey Dyomin, collaborate on PS Studio pipes. It follows, then, that Tupitsyn's pipe-making style naturally follows the compact lengths, muscular proportions, and supple curves that define the St. Petersburg aesthetic. This Tomato is a perfect embodiment of Tupitsyn's work, showcasing the Russian carver's impeccable finishing and accenting skills.

This Tomato boasts a playful juxtaposition of line and curve: the bowl's rotund frame and supple walls contrasted against the ridgeline-flanked shank. Said bowl is squat and broad, its walls rising from a lifted heel and flaring out to a broad, rounded rim. The entirety of the bowl is suspended at the fore of the aforementioned shank, which resembles a Reuleaux triangle when viewed from above. The shank stretches out from the transition, oriented nearly at the base of the bowl, and joins a demurely curved saddle, poised for comfortable smoking. A crisp, ruby-tinged sandblast completes the ensemble and highlights rippling grain across the briar's surface.