Mike Sebastian Bay: Smooth Bent Apple with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Mike Sebastian Bay's Shaping style is influenced by the Danish greats, his portfolio typified by its consistently excellent output of classic shapes steeped in Danish sensibilities. This bent Apple is a good example of that style, with a fluid sinuousness throughout its build that keeps the eye engaged as it traces the shape's comfortable contours. There's a subtle bit of cinching near the transition that emphasizes the suppleness of the bowl and enhances the look of the shank as it bulges very slightly out from the underside. The shank itself is short, and it curls up from the transition while tapering to meet a band of black vulcanite that pairs it to a lengthy, flaring accent of horn. This flare is capped with a firm ridge before taking on a soft dome at the face, which is here inlaid with a band of brass: reinforcing a sturdy, push-mount-style mortise and tenon for easy disassembly whenever necessary. Up front, the bowl stands on a lifting heel, pushing its walls into prominence as they rise to a low-set waistline. This waist makes for a comfortable feel in hand, and it marks the start of stout, tapering walls that diminish as they rise to a softly inflated rim and cant forward dynamically. Dressed in a warm, rich stain, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout, with flame surrounding the bowl and a sea of swirling birdseye through the underside, with ample contrast offered by the horn accent's pale tones.