Askwith: Partially Rusticated Bent Pot Tobacco Pipe

English artisan Chris Askwith typically creates finely wrought examples of classic English shapes. Here, however, Chris gives us a dramatic bent Pot rendition that is a clear tribute to Italian marque Castello's iconic "55" shape. In true neoclassic form, it presents a bowl-centric composition with a quickly tapering shank and stem, adds in the iconic jutting heel of the "55," and gives the entire arrangement an aquiline, Hawkbill like curve.

Chris didn't settle for a dramatic shape, however. He dressed it in an, ink-black rustication for plenty of in-hand stimulation, finishing the broad, chamfered rim smooth and lighter for pleasing contrast. He uses unique, hand-detailed polyester stems, here presented in swirling black and pink hues that both unify with the stummel's coloration and provide a pop of bespoke color. Chris has made this shape before, but we don't have the pleasure of seeing it often, so if you are a fan of his work and like Italian designs, this is a rare opportunity to acquire both.