Randy Wiley: Feather Carved Paneled Bent Dublin (44) Tobacco Pipe

Randy Wiley is an experienced carver whose talents lie in the crafting of unique pieces of American neoclassical design, favoring bold firms and slightly exaggerated proportions, both of which can be seen in this paneled bent Dublin. The bowl here takes on a good deal of the visual weight, rising higher than the demurely curved length of shank and stem, though it's still rather squat and possessed of but a gentle flare to the rim. The walls of this bowl showcase a soft, compressed, diamond-shaped paneling to them that is comfortable in hand but offers a touch of texture in the hand, the firm lines of the diamond shank and saddle stem balancing the visual weight of this piece quite well. Dressed in a vibrant mahogany stain, this pipe reveals handsome grain throughout the stummel, with a subtle feather carving at the rim's right side offering some understated visual and textural contrast.