Bill Shalosky: Rusticated Pot (456) Tobacco Pipe

Lots of pipe in a small package, this rusticated Pot from Bill Shalosky offers diminutive length for easy carry, but a full-sized bowl for prolonged smoking sessions. The theme of practicality seems to be Bill's focus here. The pipe sits well on a flat surface, and though it wobbles back and forth when doing so, it's tough to knock it all the way over. The rustication is in a tight style of small indentations, almost like the rind of a melon, and provides easy purchase in the hand.

The shank is wide in diameter, bestowing the piece with a very sturdy, muscular confidence, while the saddle stem inserts into the end of the shank at a slightly smaller diameter, providing an impression of a separate element and maintaining visual weight on the stummel. The rim, while also rusticated, maintains a soft curvature all around, and a contrast stain of reddish hues with brown provides another level of three-dimensionality. Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages, and this Shalosky Pot capitalizes on that adage with skill and beauty.