Sandblasted Tomato (Turtle) Tobacco Pipe

This piece is something of a departure from the more petite, playful numbers for which Gabriele dal Fiume is known, such as his signature Volker shape. A muscular, sweeping Tomato, this robust fellow shows plenty of the carver's penchant for cheeky forms, along with a bit of added power carried through to the strong, flaring shank. Paired to a slender saddle stem with a disc-like base, Gabriele has finished the shank face in a warm, smooth polish, a fitting complement to the smoldering sandblasted texture seen everywhere else. It should also be noted that said sandblast serves to coax a densely-packed display of stacked ring-grain as well. Recommended.

- Daniel Bumgardner