Bill Shalosky: Sandblasted Erotique with Pink Ivorywood (771) Tobacco Pipe

When asked about the pipes that inspired him, Bill Shalosky points to "every pipe ever made," which makes sense when viewing the diverse range of shapes within his portfolio. His work can range from classic shape-chart standards to highly stylized, Danish-inspired pieces, with this Erotique being an example of the latter.

Originally a Jørn Micke design, the Erotique is a uniquely artisan pipe shape, not appearing on old-school shape charts, but rather emerging from the handmade tradition pioneered by Sixten Ivarsson. It's one of a handful of artisan pieces that is synonymous with the "shape first, drill second" style, and it requires a level of precision and eye for detail that only master carvers possess. Shalosky's interpretation of the anatomically-inspired shape prioritizes curvature: the curves of the bowl (its bulbous, protruding flanks), the curve of the shank (flicked upright out of the transition), the curve of the stem (gently downturned toward the button). By prioritizing the supple contours of the form, Shalosky has rendered an interpretation of the form that's incredibly soft, visually speaking, its contoured lines standing out starkly in profile and naturally leading the eye across the totality of the composition. Shalosky has further distinguished this piece through his use of eclectic accents, outfitting the transition here with a band of pink ivorywood that contrasts the pipe's dark, sandblasted finish.