Grechukhin: Smooth Bent Apple with Mammoth

This bent Apple is immediately recognizable as the work of Russian artisan Vladimir Grechukhin and demonstrates his fondness for robust, muscular proportions. Measuring barely over four inches in length, it's also a compact Nosewarmer with the stem's extremely subtle bend promising excellent balance for hands-free smoking. Shape-wise, the bowl is pleasantly plump, effortlessly filling the palm with its substantial size and displaying prominent cheeking around the transition at the bowl's lower flanks.

Just as visually striking as the chubby bowl is the incredibly thick shank and how it perfectly continues the bowl's stoutness. The grain on this piece is breathtaking, with whorls of birdseye along the base transitioning into impressively thin, tight tendrils of vertical grain that rise along the bowl's gradually tapering flanks. Even the accent work on this piece is stunning, with a mammoth ferrule along the shank end offering its own distinct visual texture and unique coloration. It's a fabulous piece that demonstrates Grechukhin's immense talent and is perfect for those who prefer compact pipes that offer plenty of substance in hand.