Jacono: Knight Bent Billiard (Checkmate) Tobacco Pipe

Jacono's Checkmate stamp designates pipes that are larger than their standard fare, often times significantly so, as in the case of this bent Billiard. Immediately I'm struck by the bowl here, as it stands upon its rounded heel at over three inches in height, making it the forefront of visual attention. Rightfully so, as it takes on a slow taper to the rim from its broad, low-set waist, curving gently as it does and providing plenty of comfort in the hand. The transition is more than wide enough to accommodate a digit, and the comparatively trim shank's slight upward angle is paired to a demurely downturned stem of creamy, swirling acrylic. What I find most interesting about the shank and stem is the shank's domed end, something that the base of the stem nestles into, the step down offering a bit of intrigue to balance out the visual weight of the piece a bit. Dressed in the dark hues of the workshop's craggy Knight rustication, this hearty pipe is rich with texture and sure to please lovers of robust neoclassical briars.