Ropp: Honoré de Balzac Sandblasted (1566) Tobacco Pipe

Ropp features a number of softly rounded, paneled designs throughout their portfolio, with the likes of the "407" and "418B" offering distinct, faceted Acorn and Tomato renditions. This "1566" shape fits into that style: The bowl is a petite, rounded bulb on the end of a slender shank, and the sides are neatly paneled before transitioning into the more bulbous nature of the rim. Such a mix of hard and soft lines makes for an intriguing texture in hand, all while maintaining Ropp's affinity for sleek and diminutive forms.

Considered one of the founders of European realism, Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright whose work greatly influenced the likes of Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, and Jack Kerouac. Ropp presents their Honoré de Balzac series, comprised of Churchwarden shapes, as an homage to the writer — quite the apt commemoration, as Churchwardens are considered popular reading pipes. Perfect for smoking while lounged in an armchair, the characteristically long stem ensures that attention remains on the pages before you, requiring little movement to smoke. It's a series marked by classic French shapes, rendered by a classic French marque in honor of a classic French literary figure, with this particular offering presented in a traditional sandblast and accented by the line's flashy nickel accent band.