Ashton: Claret Paneled Billiard with Silver (XXX) Tobacco Pipe

Few shapes are quite as traditional as the old Foursquare, and even fewer finishes are quite as classic as Ashton's Claret — nodding back to the bright ruby stains of yesteryear in its crisp, red sandblast. A fine example of both here, with plenty of rippling ring grain undulating up from the base. The shank is abbreviated, and begins a continuous taper from transition to the lip button, almost a nod toward Italian neoclassic design, and further elevated by a broad silver band at the stem junction.