Chris Asteriou: Smooth Acorn with Horn (71/17) Tobacco Pipe

While much of Chris Asteriou's work is comprised of lovely, modernized takes on the English and French classics, he's certainly no stranger to the Danish school; in fact, many of his signature shapes are heavily steeped in the Ivarsson tradition. This bent Acorn, for example, seems to take strong inspiration from Sixten's iconic Acorn shapes, like the Peewit, particularly in the soft taper of the bowl and the upward-curling nature of the transition. The flared horn ferrule, likewise, is a classic Danish theme, one Sixten himself often employed in place of bamboo. Here it works to great effect, its pale, creamy hues offering a lovely, organic juxtaposition against the warm contrast stain and glossy polish Chris lent to the briar itself. All in all, it's a very soft, supple rendition, showcasing not only Chris' sheer talent but his wide stylistic range to boot.