Rinaldo: Egea Collection Freehand (YYY) Tobacco Pipe

The Rinaldo brothers love to craft elegant Freehands, and this unique creation again shows why their pipes are so collectible. A squat bowl with elongated, concave sides pushes forward into opposing angles to the fore, evocative of the sides and prow of a ship. Those surfaces' sharp lines are in marked contrast to the softly rounded Acorn-like upper margins of the bowl. The shank also rides the wave between paneled and rounded, offering a pleasing blend of the two while gently flaring in all directions. Beneath the highly interpretive shape, I see a straight Apple's design characteristics, with a plump bowl mounted at the end of a shank that moves directly toward a beautifully tapered straight stem. Looking at the handsome grain and entrancingly curved finish, it is easy to see this piece appealing to those fond of exquisite grain. The deep hues of the briar work in concert with the complex curvature of the shape, both elements pulling my gaze in but then coyly pushing me away, directing me to yet another point of beauty.