Peterson: Christmas 2023 Sandblasted (XL11) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

Outside of the Sherlock Holmes collection, the Original shape receives the "XL11" number designation. First introduced in 1987 as a one-off design, Peterson released the Original, a.k.a. the "XL11," to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet. Presenting the design with a different shape number allows collectors to enjoy the shape in finishes not otherwise offered in the Sherlock series, and while the presentation may differ, the form itself remains exactly the same. Essentially, the "XL11" is a larger version of Peterson's signature "05" Bell/Calabash, the proportions increased for an even bolder, more striking example of Peterson's iconic muscular aesthetic to accentuate the shape's curvaceous profile and flaring bowl.

Peterson's Christmas Pipes have been an annual tradition since 2009, the Irish marque dressing a selection of their iconic shapes in appropriately festive fashion. In recent years, Peterson has accented this series with copper, though for 2023, they showcase the skill of their silversmiths by accenting the pipes with broad bands of intricately etched silver. These silver bands feature inset beadlines around the Peterson logo and provide a wealth of contrast against the stummel's finish. In addition to the fine display of silverwork, these pipes exhibit Peterson's talent in the blasting cabinet by dressing the stummel in a craggy sandblast that's been stained a deep, rich red: evocative of some of the earliest sandblasts to appear in the pipe world. What results is a finish that is utterly timeless, reminiscent of pipes crafted in the early 20th century and embodying an elegant character that's endlessly charming.