Manduela: Smooth Bulldog with Boxwood Tobacco Pipe

Crisp and angular, Manduela's pieces are characterized by sharp ridges, an artistic use of planed facets, and architectural motifs overall. This straight Bulldog fits right into her style. Beginning with the bowl, it's of the squat Bulldog variety, with high-set beadlines around the disc-like bowl. Below those beadlines, the bowl tapers drastically to a pointed heel, as each flank meets the underside's arrow straight ridge line. When viewed head on, the lower half of a bowl resembles a ship's hull, perfectly suited for cutting through choppy waters.

Manduela's adept skill is especially apparent in the shank. From an aerial perspective, it seems diamond shaped, as one would expect from a Bulldog; however, in reality, the would be ridgelined flanks have actually been delicately paneled, adding to the structural style of the piece. The stem and and attached boxwood accent are fashioned similarly, ensuring that the lines flow seamlessly from bit to transition. It's such subtlety and exactness that make Manduela one of the world's most prominent and skilled carvers. Excellent work.