Smooth Acorn (1712) Tobacco Pipe

There's something beautifully minimalist about this Acorn shape from Li Zhesong. Forgoing any sort of flashy accents or adornments in favor of a warm contrast stain and a darker plateau crown certainly aid in this regard, yet it also has much to do with Li's simplicity of form here. By keeping the heel light and lifting and matching the upward curl of the shank with just a touch of flare as it approaches the stem base, he's created a wonderfully fluid silhouette overall — the resulting arcing line of the underside guiding the eye so effortlessly from rim to bit. Of course, such a easy flowing form also affords more visual weight to the block's natural grain, allowing this piece's stunning flame to stand out in full focus.

- Andrew Wike