Kurt Balleby: Sandblasted Bent Brandy Tobacco Pipe

Classic Danish shaping, gorgeous finishes, and perfection-motivated craftsmanship define the work of Kurt Balleby and are apparent in this beautiful bent Brandy. The piece's Danish origins are recognizable in the plump bowl up front, tapering into a slightly rounded rim above affable cheeking at the transition. Slightly pinched on each side, the shank curls effortlessly into the bowl, the transition's low-set orientation allowing the underside of the shank to extend all the way to the heel. It's a rotund, full-bodied shape, rife with supple curves and smooth lines, interrupted only at the shank end as the stem base flares subtly. Though rather upright of bowl, the sudden downward turn of the stem lends the profile an active stance and makes for a piece that's as comfortable hanging from the jaw as it is filling the palm, especially with an abbreviated length. It's all dressed in a low-profile sandblast that reveals gorgeous growth rings without compromising the silhouette's lines.