Clark Layton: Smooth Bent Dublin Tobacco Pipe

We've seen a small handful of bent Dublins from Clark Layton in the past, most of which adhere to the standard profile's recognizable layout of shank, stem, and bowl, though with some Horn-like elements included for good measure. This iteration of the shape is decidedly unlike those others, so much so that Layton himself refers to it as a "Double Triangle." It's not hard to see why either, as both the shank and bowl have distinctly triangular shapes, as if they were two separate components that met and merged in the middle to form the transition. Three ridgelines run the entire length of the stummel here, and each end is rounded by its own trio of ridges, framing their triangular shape and further cementing the underlying design inspiration.

Despite ridgelines pervading the entire expanse of briar here, there's still quite a bit of curvature to be had, most notably in the undercurve of the stummel itself, bowing at its midsection and being outlined by one of the present ridges. The panels that the trio of firm lines create aren't flat, but are quite nicely rounded at their faces, giving the hand a lovely confluence of both firm and soft textures to appreciate when this pipe is held and showing off Layton's talent for shaping. The transition is very tightly knit, kicking the shank upward strikingly, and offers some nice negative space to further solidify the separation between shank and bowl. Dressing this piece is a lovely honeyed stain that reveals dense streaks of flickering flame grain throughout, while the rim and shank face are peppered by clusters of birdseye, the rim's expanse further elevated by craggy plateau.