Gregor Lobnik: Partially Sandblasted Long Shank Bent Apple with Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

Featuring a dual finish and a well defined ridgeline along the transition, this bent Apple from Gregor Lobnik nods to Lars Ivarsson's signature Cup and Ball design. Renditions of the Cup and Ball shape tend to share the common cue of a transition framed by a stepped ridge embracing an overtly round, plump bowl. Said bowl acts as the focal point on this piece from the Slovenian artisan, seemingly perched on the end of the elongated shank as if it were a piece of fruit on a tree branch. I particularly enjoy how the ridgeline comes to a defined point along the bowl's base, a subtle yet artistically demanding touch that could easily have went wrong if it were misshapen in any way.

While the ridgeline along the transition establishes the bowl as a separate element from the smooth shank, the bowl's sandblasted finish drives the point home further. The blast is light in depth to maintain the bowl's curvaceous character and yet has yielded some remarkable results with undulating waves of grain climbing the chubby bowl. The smoldering contrast stain showcases the nuances of the briar's grain while its warm tones pair handsomely with the shank's walnut hue which highlights some well-oriented streaks of vertical grain along its sides. The end of the shank is accented by a pale boxwood ring, offering modest contrast in between the jet-black stem and the stummel's warm coloration. It's a long pipe comprised of many small details, resulting in a smoking instrument that's more than worthy of consideration among discerning collectors.