Kent Rasmussen: Smooth Bean Tobacco Pipe

Flowing curves, crisp ridgelines and distinctive finishing elevate this Bean from Kent Rasmussen. The grain is stunning and follows the undercurve at right angles, displaying a fan-like aesthetic that carries through the length of the piece and is accentuated by both the rim and the shank end. The underside flows smoothly from the shank end through the forward flank and up onto the wide rim, which is stylized by raised, smooth ridges along the outside edges, as are the ridgelines left and right along its underside. That aesthetic is echoed at the shank end, which offers an inverse repetition of the treatment at the rim.

What's especially impressive is the grain orientation, with the grain lying nearly flat against the surfaces of both rim and shank end for a very concise and creative form. The light stain admirably highlights the grain throughout the composition, and the additional flourishing ridgelines and carving enhancements make for a creative display to impress the most ardent of collectors.