Smooth Tomato with Carved and Sandblasted Horn Tobacco Pipe

Formerly known as the American Pipe Making Exposition, our annual Global Pipe Making Exposition features contributions from some of the world's foremost artisans, all united around a central theme. One of the most exciting events of the year for carvers, smokers, and enthusiasts of briar alike, the Global Exposition acts not only as a showcase for the immense talent of these artisans but as a focus for the boundless creativity that these masters of the art possess. For 2026, the theme of our Expo is "The Art of the Sandblast," celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship behind one of the most meticulous finishing techniques in pipe making. Through the sandblast, these artisans transform the natural grain of briar into textured works of art, highlighting the unique character of each block and demonstrating the artistry of the technique.

For Austin Quinlan's 2026 Expo entry, this Tomato is a handsome showcase of the carver's style, which values balanced proportions and compact profiles. In an inventive play on this year's Expo theme, Austin chose to sandblast the horn extension along the shank rather than the briar itself, creating an amusing juxtaposition with what is traditionally expected in the world of pipe making. The technique combines rustication and sandblasting, giving the horn an almost weathered, matte appearance. The rustication is most pronounced along the aft section of the extension, which has been shaped into a sleek dome and scalloped along its edges. The rearmost section has been left smooth, providing a subtle contrast against the sandblasted horn.

The muted color palette of the horn nicely complements the bowl, which wears a light stain that lends the overall palette a cool-toned disposition. The bowl itself is squat, characteristic of the Tomato shape, and it's no wonder Quinlan chose to leave it smooth, as it displays some striking grain. Tendrils of flame grain flow along the lower section of the bowl, while the upper portion showcases a broad expanse of birdseye. Along the rim, a small kiss of plateau provides a final touch, adding just a bit of organic character and individuality to this Tomato.