J. Alan: Sandblasted Pot with Horn (1796) Tobacco Pipe

Jeff Gracik is the man behind J. Alan pipes, a talented American pipe artisan with a broad portfolio and his own unique style. This straight Pot is only the eighth we have ever received as a new pipe by Jeff, and we have seen even fewer examples as estate pipes. A charming, but muscular rendition of the classic shape, this iteration is quite squat about the bowl, with a firm heel and cheeking at the transition evoking a sense of Danish design but with a dose of extra strength. The shank is round and tapers almost imperceptibly toward a handsome, domed accent of genuine horn, while one of Gracik's meticulously hand-cut vulcanite saddle stems extends to offer a comfortable perch when clenched.

It's wearing a low-profile sandblast that highlights Jeff's skill in the blasting cabinet, not to mention some excellent cross grain with blasted birdseye on both flanks. The execution provides a pleasant tactile experience without spoiling the clean profile of the piece, and is rendered with a lighter touch on the shank's upper side to promote comfortable thumb draping. A warm, earthy stain adds a pastoral appeal, while the inflated rim is left smooth and lighter for contrast — a common design cue within the Danish artisan tradition.