Smooth Bent Dublin Sitter with Bamboo (2028) Tobacco Pipe

Complex organicism, perfect balance, and striking accent work are all readily present in this Dublin Sitter from Li Zhesong. It's an impressively intricate composition from the Chinese artisan with many elements that warrant appreciation. I'm particularly struck by the bowl's forward cant and its ability to sit unassisted on flat surfaces. The bowl's canted disposition, flattened heel, and high-kicking shank-and-stem combination hint at the Cherrywood shape, though the bowl does indeed flare in traditional Dublin fashion. The grain follows the bowl's shaping beautifully, with streaks of lively flame grain rising along the flaring flanks and terminating at the rim's ridgeline. Natural plateau is oriented along the rim, adding visual and physical texture while the rim's smooth areas still display some enticing birdseye patterns.

The shank itself is a remarkable feature and is extended by three knuckles of black bamboo, the organic medium's color pairing handsomely with the stummel's walnut-hued contrast stain and the rim's dark plateau. The bumpy nodes around each knuckle add some additional textual intrigue while the bamboo shank rises gracefully upwards to meet the softly bent saddle stem. The disc-shaped base of the saddle stem echoes the shape of the bamboo's knuckles and maintains the rhythmic spacing between each knuckle. As an added bonus, Zhesong's mouthpieces are incredibly comfortable and cater well to any preferred smoking posture.