Becker: Sandblasted Dublin (Two Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

Federico Becker is a third-generation carver, his late father and grandfather also having crafted pipes from high-quality briar since the 1970s. Federico often assimilates their style of pipe shaping with his own, as in this svelte Dublin. Crisp, clean, and angular describes the Italian artisan's shaping style, with this Dublin being a fine example. It's notable for Federico's signature jutting, jauntily pointed heel, a design style that helps contribute to a forward-surging dynamic also buttressed by a gently sloping rim. The shank and stem here taper elegantly toward the bit for a streamlined, sleek disposition in this lightweight piece. It's dressed in a dark walnut sandblast, showing off some delightfully dense and striated growth rings, with the smooth, gently chamfered rim and a trim ring of briar lending contrast. Further commending this precisely shaped, expertly engineered pipe are two boxwood accent rings, lightening the composition a bit. This is another great example of Federico's considerable talent.