Claudio Cavicchi: Smooth Dublin (CCC) Tobacco Pipe

Utilizing a warm contrast stain to delineate individual strands of grain, Claudio has oriented the block to best maintain the natural wonder of this particular piece of wood, resulting in a Dublin that's as natural in hand as the stummel's raw material is in the wild. A plateau rim of dense points offers textural contrast to the immaculate smoothness of the bowl, all held upright by graceful, organic curves bringing the lines of the bowl to the mouthpiece, which is black acrylic. We all love good grain, but this piece is exceptional in that regard, an example of what's possible but unlikely, though is somewhat commonplace in the incredible portfolio of Cavicchi. It's a glimpse of what can happen when a skilled carver utilizes spectacular grain to its best advantage.