Peterson: Aran Smooth Nickel Mounted (B5) P-Lip Tobacco Pipe

Peterson's "B" series of pipes originated around 1998 and presents rather unique shapes within the Irish marque's portfolio. A number of these designs began as special collections, with overflowing stock given a "B" designation until being exhausted, while others have since become standards of Peterson's shape chart. The "B5" is one such standard, and like most other "B" pieces, it combines elements of other shapes for a unique, hybrid form. It shares much in common with the classic bent Bulldog — a diamond shank and characteristic beadline, below which the bowl tapers toward the heel — however, the bowl's silhouette resembles an Acorn, with the waistline high-set and the rim slightly rounded compared to the Bulldog's usually crisp taper. A subtle bend is lent to the stem, and when combined with the angled transition, it balances out the robust proportions of the stummel, typical of Peterson's signature muscular shaping cues.

One of Peterson's most traditional finishes, the Aran presents a color palette of chocolatey stain and jet-black stem. In the smooth iteration, it highlights the briar's natural grain pattern with handsome reservation — not distracting from the form's shape yet, at the same time, offering enough definition and detail to remain intriguing and individual, accented here with a flashy nickel band to add some formal panache and elegant appeal.