Askwith: Partially Sandblasted Saucer Tobacco Pipe

Chris Askwith's Saucer shape is a specific rendition of the classic Rhodesian. While the English artisan's standard Rhodesians often prioritize muscularity and robust proportions, his Saucer pieces present a much more streamlined disposition — as evidenced by this pipe. In profile, this piece is quite sleek and aerodynamic, the shank-and-stem combination exhibiting an elongated stance that guides the eye through the composition. Likewise, the bowl is demure and low-profile in silhouette, it's crisp ridgline demarcating the rounded heel from the tapered rim and set just above the transition; however, when viewed from above, the Saucer's broad nature is revealed, offering plenty of surface area to admire the birdseye adorning the rim. Dressed in a dual finish, the stummel features a dark sandblast along the shank and lower bowl, but the rim is smooth and lighter of stain, beautifully showcasing the briar's grain and making it the focal point. Furthermore, Askwith's penchant for vibrant color palettes is personified by a stem of sky blue polyester, creating a tri-toned aesthetic that juxtaposes the light hues of the rim and stem against the rest of the piece's dark stain.