Bill Shalosky: Smooth Pot with Bakelite (528) Tobacco Pipe

In a bit of a departure from his typically compact, muscular shaping style, this Pot from Bill Shalosky is sleek and streamlined. The American carver boasts years of experience in woodworking, having crafted pipes at Smoker's Haven and Chheda Pipes, and he still works as a member of BriarWorks' artisan team, while also fashioning handmade pipes under his own name. This low-lying, broad Pot isn't lacking for breadth and is seemingly perched at the end of a fairly lengthy, straight stretch of shank and stem. One of the artisan's rich auburn contrast stains covers the stummel, showing off dense, fiery licks of flame and straight grain on all sides, while a bevy of gorgeous birdseye peppers the underside. This Pot is lent a bit of an organic flourish by dark-stained, natural plateau along the rim, with a fetching light lemon and cream Bakelite mouthpiece adding a mesmerizing dash of color to the palette.