Becker: Sandblasted Tomato (Two Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

Third-generation Italian artisan Federico Becker continues to build upon the pipe-making tradition established by his father, Paolo, and grandfather, Fritz, crafting distinctive, lively shapes from high-quality briar. While the Italian carver's work often showcases a penchant for dramatic, angular lines, this Tomato is a more streamlined, soft-featured shape, with the squat, rounded bowl affably paired to an arrow-straight shank-and-stem combination. This piece possesses the sharply pronounced, jutting heel that often marks the Italian artisan's work, adding a touch angularity that offsets some of the bowl's rotund features. The shank extends from the tight-knit transition before giving way to a tapered stem of jet-black vulcanite, both maintaining crisp, sleek lines that balance well with the bowl in profile. The crisp, low-profile sandblast that dresses the virgin stummel draws out neat, rippling waves of growth rings that provide plenty of visual and tactile intrigue. The natural, unstained briar will make an excellent canvas for patina, taking on tans, browns, and even pinks with time and use.