Flávia Rodrigues: Sandblasted Prince with Silver Tobacco Pipe

The Prince is one of the most elegant, refined shapes in the history of pipe making, and when crafted by an artisan like Flávia Rodrigues who expresses a deep fondness for traditional forms, the results are spectacular. We've seen the Brazilian carver craft the timeless shape before, both renditions vastly different in terms of the degree of bend lent to the stem as well as their finish and accenting materials. On this interpretation, the bowl is low-slung and broad, prioritizing width over height. It's been finished in a craggy sandblast, an impressive feat given how small the stummel's surface area is; one small mistake would throw everything off completely. Deep grooves of undulating ring grain surround the bowl with a small sliver of smooth briar gracing the innermost portion of the rim. Out back, the stem's downturn is so subtle it's almost imperceptible but features the Prince's signature bend just before the lip button. A sterling silver band adorns the shank end, offering some flashy contrast against the composition's jet-black color palette and creating a dress pipe aesthetic in the process. Brilliant work from the Brazilian artisan that demonstrates Flávia's ability to take a classic shape and make it all her own.