Jerry Zenn: Sandblasted Rhodesian with Bamboo and Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

A talented artisan from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Jerry Zenn spent 25 years as an automotive mechanic before turning to pipe making. His hands-on experience and problem-solving skills — along with familiarity with precision tooling and machining — made the transition feel like a natural evolution of his former trade. Zenn quickly gained recognition and is now regarded as one of East Asia's premier pipe carvers. His work reflects a deep appreciation for organic forms and an exceptional eye for fine detail.

This Rhodesian showcases Zenn's signature style and features a fluid, curvaceous silhouette. The bowl is broad and weighty, defined by a single beadline at its waist. This beadline separates the upper bowl's gentle taper toward the rim from the lower bowl's taper down to a softly lifted heel. From the low-slung transition, a short, subtly flared shank flows into a flaring section of natural bamboo, reinforcing the organic aesthetic while visually drawing the eye rearward. A jet-black vulcanite saddle stem completes the design, its inky hue offering striking contrast to the pipe's warm palette. Finished in a natural sandblast, the piece reveals rippling grain patterns and dense clusters of birdseye that further enhance the composition's tactile and visual appeal.