Claret Billiard with Bamboo (with Case) (XXX) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

At 15, William (Bill) Ashton-Taylor began his pipe-making career by signing under Alfred Dunhill. Starting as an intern and affiliated 'tea boy,' Bill retained a keen interest in pipe making. Eventually, this sparked the attention of Harry Saigrott, who began showing Bill the artistry of pipe making. By 1983, Bill founded Ashton Company, setting a high standard for craftsmanship and the quality of materials used. Bill passed away in 2009, but pipe maker Jimmy Craig proudly carries on the Ashton name.

This Billiard is a rare offering from the English marque, pairing the brand's typically modest proportions with a section of bamboo along the shank. It's uncommon to see bamboo incorporated into one of their pipes, making this piece particularly distinctive. Here, two knuckles of the dense grass extend the shank and lend a touch of natural warmth to the shape's otherwise streamlined profile. The bamboo's knuckles are evenly spaced between the transition and the shoulders of the saddle stem, creating a pleasing visual rhythm across the composition's aft side. Dressing the stummel is Ashton's rugged Claret sandblast, which reveals rippling grain beneath a striking red stain. This particular piece comes in a special collector's case that was handcrafted by Jimmy Craig himself, the head of the Ashton workshop.