Adam Davidson: Sandblasted Micke Shape Tobacco Pipe

"Sometimes inspiration comes from pain." Adam's recent foray into pipes inspired by a certain, provocative Jørn Micke shape followed a particularly tortuous kidney stone experience that rendered the American carver practically immobile for a number of days. After healing, though, the morbid memory of his harrowing circumstance catalyzed the creation of a number of Micke-inspired designs — with no shortage of smirk-inducing irony.

One such rendition is presented here, and it hews toward Micke's long-shanked versions of the form. Compared to Davidson's other homages, the bowl of this piece remains symmetrical — the central "crease" aligned with the horizontal axis to bisect the bowl. While this feature of the bowl is perhaps the most defining aspect of Micke's design, the elongated shank and stem combination also hearken back to 1960's and 1970's Danish pipe making style. The slightly rounded flare of the shank end and corresponding expansion ring of the stem base call to mind this early aesthetic, and Adam intentionally emulated that look to fully complete this celebratory Micke rendition. Dressed in a dark sandblast, with rippling ring grain, the profile beautifully combines sleek lines with contrasting, voluptuous curves.