Lv Zelong: Partially Sandblasted Bent Dublin with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Lv Zelong combines his experience learning from renowned Chinese artisans such as Ping Zhan and Lan Zhenjun with Danish shaping cues to create a style all his own, one defined by elegant shaping, stunning grain patterning, and deft engineering. An expressive, dynamic piece, Lv Zelong puts his strengths as a pipe maker on full display in this elegant bent Dublin rendition. A hearty bowl is positioned upfront, its thick, insulating walls flaring broadly from the sweeping heel toward the plateau-kissed rim, whose undulating form imbues this piece with a playful character. From a broad transition, the shank sweeps backward and curls up toward an expansive, flaring mount of genuine horn, showcasing the artisan's excellent accenting work. Joined to the mount is a demurely downturned saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite, which pairs with the shank's upward curve to form a comfortable smoking posture. The stummel's warm, rich palette delightfully contrasts the horn's more reserved tones, with the stummel dressed in a crisp, contrast-stained sandblast that defines lively flame grain around the bowl as whorls of birdseye circle the smooth rim, this striking display owed to Lv Zelong's exquisite finishing work.