Partially Sandblasted Elephant’s Foot with Abalone Tobacco Pipe

Jason Mouton is an American artisan based in Gueydan, Louisiana, and his pipes often reflect their American origins, showcasing classically compact, muscular shaping. This Elephant's Foot is indeed compact, measuring just over 5 inches in total length. It's also beautifully dynamic, and exhibits some particularly lovely finish work.

Pioneered by the legendary Scandinavian carver, Bo Nordh, the Elephant's Foot is generally defined by a pair of wrapping ridgelines that frame the flanks, rim, and heel of the bowl. Such is the case here, although this particular iteration sees those ridgelines extend past the heel to create a small, angular, spur-like appendage on which the pipe can rest without the aid of a stand. This small spur is accented by a glimmering, colorful piece of abalone — a discreet but delightful detail best appreciated by the lucky owner of this pipe. Another flash of abalone can be found at the end of the shank, which is joined by a hand-crafted, high-kicking stem of vulcanite. An earthy partial sandblast dresses the stummel, rendering the briar's rippling waves of ring grain in high definition, while the flanks and rim remain smooth to show off tight tendrils of cross grain. This stark juxtaposition of textures adds another element of dynamism to this already beautifully complex piece.