Lan Zhenjun: Smooth Bent Egg with Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

There's something of a Wolfgang Becker aesthetic to the overall silhouette of this bent Egg from Lan Zhenjun, especially in the way he's handled the plump curvature of the bowl's base and cinched, high-set transition — creating that wasp-waisted look signature to the German master. On closer inspection, however, you can really see how Lan's made this piece all his own. Becker's shanks tend to be rounded and more gestural than this, for example — with Lan here having gone for a sleek, pinched aesthetic in the cross-section, with a touch of asymmetry coming out in its slight diagonal orientation. There's plenty of Danish influence at play, as well, with the bowl boasting full, plump cheeks to either flank and the whole design simply smoothed out by soft, Danish lines. Aside from all that gorgeous shaping, Lan's also really put this block's striking grain pattern on display here, showcasing the dense, tight strands of flame through a warm, medium walnut contrast finish. Beautiful work from end to end.

- Andrew Wike