G. Penzo: Smooth Billiard with Bamboo (Flame) (4A) Tobacco Pipe

This handsome Billiard from Giacomo Penzo represents a playful fusion of Italian neo-classical proportions and elegant Danish shaping, tied together through a well-executed bamboo shank extension. While the bowl does bear a lot of visual weight comparative to the rest of the composition, Penzo's still paid careful attention to the spacing and rhythm of the bamboo's knuckles with respect to the length of the shank and stem — keeping the piece quite balanced in profile. Adding to that balance, you'll notice subtle Danish cues in the slight, lifting gesture of the heel and sweep of the transition, smoothing out the lines nicely. He's finished this one in a wonderfully smoky contrast stain, a lighter treatment which matches the pale shade of the bamboo nicely.

- Andrew Wike