Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Cherrywood with Bakelite (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

While Ryan Alden's classical shapes are quite stunning, his fascination with organic materials, as well as their natural shaping, is as impressive as any. Here, it takes the form of a jaunty Cherrywood, which combines some modest paneling around the bowl with a handsome helping of plateau at rim and shank-end, the latter angled to show off a generous amount of pale, mint-green bakelite. The stummel has been finished in one of his fetching sandblasts, further emphasizing the organic nature of the piece, with stacks upon stacks of growth rings on display.