Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Paneled Billiard (Queen of Hearts) Tobacco Pipe

There aren't many artisan carvers who produce renditions of the iconic Foursquare design, making this piece from Ryan Alden a special treat. It's a perfect iteration of the classic English shape, proudly displaying four panels along its tall bowl, with rounded corners to soften the in hand feel. Out back lies a squared shank and tapering stem, reinforcing the profile's bold aesthetic and enabling the piece to sit sturdily on a desktop. In true English fashion, Ryan has dressed it in an especially craggy sandblast, displaying ripples of ring grain up the flanks, and adorned it in a ruby-red stain, matching naturally with the cumberland stem. For a subtle, expert's touch, Alden accents this piece by leaving smooth and chamfering the innermost portion of the rim. Simply sublime.