Chris Asteriou: Sandblasted Belge with Silver and Horn (14/20) Tobacco Pipe

The general shaping of this Belge is a common motif within Chris Asteriou's portfolio — the canted, Egg-like bowl fitted on the end of a slender shank and stem combination — but is most often found in Cutty configuration. In this piece, though, the Greek carver has forgone the Cutty's pointed heel spur, resulting in an uninterrupted profile that's dominated by the bowl in regard to visual weight. Especially of note, then, is the stem, which is fashioned from cream-hued horn with accented striations of mocha colors. It's the first horn stem we've received from Chris, and the style hearkens back to early 20th century pipes, fitting in well to the artisan's love for old-school French and English pipes. Separating the stem from the stummel is broad band of sterling silver around the shank — an oft-seen accent from Chris. It testifies to his talented silverwork ability, with the base of the accent wrapped with a subtle beadline to visually accentuate the material while still keeping the composition cohesive.