Li Zhesong: Sandblasted Acorn with Bamboo (2009) Tobacco Pipe

The ninth pipe Li Zhesong crafted in 2020, this lengthy, streamlined Acorn demonstrates the Chinese artisan's talent at fashioning highly organic designs. The bowl features a bulbous, high-set waistline that gradually tapers to the shape's characteristic heel spur along the base. I'm particularly impressed at how well the sandblasted finish pairs with the bowl's shaping, with undulating grain patterns radiating from the heel spur and rising up along the flanks before terminating at the rounded rim. It's a perfect pairing for this design and has unveiled a wealth of fascinating texture that warrants appreciation each time this pipe is in hand.

The transition sits slightly tucked underneath the protruding rim while the shank is practically non-existent and gives way to four long knuckles of bamboo. Typically, Zhesong favors short sections of bamboo but this lengthy shank extension suits this piece wonderfully, accentuating the natural organicism of the Acorn shape and offers some striking contrast against the rest of the design's dark color palette. Also noteworthy is how the base of the saddle stem seamlessly continues the rhythmic spacing of the bamboo's knuckles before flattening out and ending at the comfortable lip button.