Michail Kyriazanos: Smooth Bent Dublin with Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

Bamboo has been utilized for decades in pipe making, originating as material that was used when briar was scarce during shortages. In recent years, the organic medium has been favored by artisans not only as a shank extension but as an accenting material that ultimately informs the execution of a design. For many years, it was sleek, trim sections of bamboo that were particularly desirable but different bamboo styles have seen a boost in popularity in the past couple of years. Specifically thick, asymmetric knuckles popularized by Roman Kovalev of Doctor's Pipes have become favorites for carvers, with many pipe makers reinterpreting Roman's style.

On this bent Dublin from Michail Kyriazanos, the first one we've seen from the Greek carver, he's paired a thick, hearty section of bamboo with a flaring Dublin bowl. The undulating rim is topped with craggy plateau, further accentuating the organicism of the entire composition with the slight dip along the aft complementing the subtle asymmetric orientation of the bamboo. While Kyriazanos has used bamboo several times previously, I can't recall seeing a piece this robust outside of the Buddha bamboo he favors. A few dozen nodes wrap around the bamboo, offering plenty of entertaining texture in hand and perfectly complements the striking aesthetics at play. The upward kick of the stem expertly continues the momentum of the bamboo and is fitted with a steel tenon for added reinforcement.