Mike Sebastian Bay: Smooth Poker (A) Tobacco Pipe

Looking for someone to repair his father's old pipes, Mike Sebastian Bay found himself in the workshop of Tom Eltang. After talking, the two men quickly bonded, and Eltang offered Bay an apprenticeship. Bay accepted and set about learning everything he could from the elder carver. Overtime, Bay refined his craft as he studied shaping, drilling, engineering, and finishing. Now, Michael Sebastian Bay is one of Denmark's most accomplished young artisans, and his work is sought after by discerning collectors from all over the world.

This Poker is a whimsical take on the classic form, and a testament to Bay's creative shaping style. As is traditional for the shape, this piece is a sturdy Sitter, and a rather charming desk pipe. It features a tall, cylindrical bowl that's canted at near the transition, with the upper half of the bowl vaulted forward, while the lower half is more upright. This distinctive cue lends the totality of the shape an active posture that's accentuated by the upturned shank-and-stem arrangement. The bowl houses a healthy chamber within its thick-walled frame, ensuring plenty of long, leisurely smoking sessions, which the aforementioned shank and stem will deftly aid. A ruby-hued smooth finish dresses the stummel and highlights an astonishing showing of birdseye on either flank of the bowl.