Smooth Elephant's Foot with Mammoth Tobacco Pipe

As a child of the world-renowned pipe maker, Kurt Balleby, Tine Balleby has been immersed in the world of pipe making for much of her life. She's developed a distinct style that often juxtaposes organic, flowing lines with structured paneling, as this tight-knit Elephant's Foot.

Swedish artisan Bo Nordh was the original pioneer of the Elephant's Foot shape. A pair of ridgelines define the shape, flowing in tandem from the rim's flanks, down the bowl, and around the heel. With a jutting heel and clearly defined fore and aft walls, the shape is reminiscent of the Shield. The pair of ridgelines belonging to this pipe are placed intentionally to frame a river of cross grain flowing around the bowl, flanked on either side by intricate swirls of birdseye. When viewed from the side, the bowl's fore and aft walls form plump swells, with the fore fitting nicely in the palm. Despite its borderline Nosewarmer length, the pipe boasts a capacious chamber more than capable of hosting a large amount of tobacco for a longer smoke. Out back, the shank flips up into a mammoth accent at the junction, from which a stylized saddle stem curls lightly into its button. The stummel wears a gorgeous, chestnut-stained smooth finish to show off its wealth of excellent grain. For fans of the Danish aesthetic, this pipe is sure to be a keeper.