Davide Iafisco: Smooth Acorn

Davide Iafisco's work often demonstrates a penchant for curvaceous designs, with his Acorn shapes in particular serving as excellent representations. This Acorn rendition is the shortest one we've received to date from the Italian carver and highlights his appreciation for organic forms. Typically, Davide gravitates toward shape chart standards, infusing them with his own distinctive style, tweaking their proportions, and utilizing asymmetry or the briar's natural features as accenting materials.

Having said that, this Acorn is a standout addition to Iafisco's portfolio since he normally doesn't produce diminutive pieces, but he made certain to imbue this one with plenty of substance. The bowl is pleasantly plump and the focal point of the entire composition, wearing its waistline high before gradually tapering to the lifted heel underneath. The gently pinched transition sits tucked away below the bowl's bulging flanks before the shank subtly flares out. Said bowl conforms comfortably when wrapped around the thumb and forefinger while the ever-so-slightly downturned stem enables this piece to be clenched easily.

Left free of any unnecessary adornments, Davide has allowed the shaping and grain to speak for themselves, with a lively array of flame grain engulfing the chubby bowl underneath the gorgeous contrast stain. It's a beautiful piece that's perfect for fans of compact pieces that benefits from being crafted by a talented artisan pipemaker.