Larry Roush: Smooth Bent Dublin with Rope Finish Silver (U) (2454) Tobacco Pipe

Larry Roush is known for his craggier, often gnarly looking finish work, but in my opinion, said texture stands so mightily center stage as a result of his playful, inherently muscular style of shaping. It's a seemingly Italian-informed style that's well on display with this bent Dublin, though presented sans variations in topography about the briar's surface area. Instead, Larry opted for a vibrant walnut contrast for this "U" stamped piece (his third highest smooth grade), accentuating a sunburst of flame emanating from the heel, traveling to meet an undulating rim packed with remarkable swirls of birdseye.

In profile, the rim dips perfectly at the entrance to the chamber, allowing the eye to be drawn downward toward the gently pinched transition, and likewise to the braided silver accent band. Larry was formerly a jeweler, and originally came into pipemaking by way of a desire to adorn his own pipe collection with varying displays of silverwork. Here, the exquisite flash of metal serves to unify the composition a touch more fluidly with the orange-brown-green agate look of the vulcanite stem. It's a subtle cue, but not to be overlooked. Awesome work from Larry.