Askwith: Sandblasted Morta Pot with Horn Stem Tobacco Pipe

Chris Askwith transforms traditional shapes through the use of non-traditional materials and vibrant color palettes, crafting striking pieces of functional art and some of the most distinctive designs in modern pipe making. That said, this Pot rendition is well on the more reserved end for the English carver but continues his fondness for alternative materials. It's a remarkably robust, beefy take on the classic shape, the short, thick shank continuing the broad bowl's heartiness. The stummel was crafted from morta, a material renowned for its light weight and more flavor-neutral smoking characteristics. The jet-black material is also well-known for the fascinating grain patterns that can be unveiled when it's sandblasted, and Chris has taken full advantage of that here with uniform striations of grain traversing the wide bowl. Contrasting the bowl's dark coloration is the horn stem, its creamy hues standing out in stark contrast while tapering beautifully toward the lip button.