Michail Kyriazanos: Sandblasted Lovat with Silver

Michail Kyriazanos' carving style is impressively diverse, ranging from highly fluid, organic designs to others of exacting proportions rendered in traditional shapes, such as this Lovat. The shaping and visual balance of this piece are spot-on, with the bowl naturally and consistently rounded and the shank poised arrow straight out back for an incredibly sleek profile. The elongated shank adds some extra height to the bowl, while ensuring that the pipe remains relatively lightweight and is paired to an abbreviated saddle stem, which redirects attention to the stummel. For a classic accent, an elegant sterling silver ring graces the shank end, offering contrast between the jet-black mouthpiece and the stummel's earthy coloration. The sandblasted finish has unveiled the briar's cross-grain orientation, leaving specks of birdseye along the flanks and offers plenty of pleasing texture to keep anyone occupied while smoking this expertly executed, modern take on a time honored shape.