J. Alan: Red Sandblasted Erotique (1960) Tobacco Pipe

The Erotique shape was pioneered by Jørn Micke, a revered Danish carver that became especially popular in Japan. Micke's popularity led to a number of Japanese carvers putting their spin on the unique, anatomy-inspired design, like Hiroyuki Tokutomi and Ray Kurusu. Jeff Gracik's interpretation of the shape speaks to his appreciation for Danish and Japanese design. The bowl on this Erotique maintains the organic, asymmetric style, though that asymmetry is quite understated here, while a deep middle cleft divides the two halves of the anatomically suggestive design. Out back, a nicely cheeked transition leads to a flared, square-paneled shank fitted to a just-bent vulcanite saddle stem. Dressed in a deep, crisp, ruby-hued sandblast, the stummel boasts excellent sections of rippling growth rings at the top and underside, while both flanks of the bowl showcase some handsome birdseye. This rare example of such a unique shape from one of America's finest carvers will be a prize in any collection.