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

American artisan Ryan Alden has fashioned a number of straight Billiards throughout his career, and while all stay true to the traditional, timeless form, the carver imbues each one with his own attractive, personal style — most often personified by rustic finishes, modern color palettes, and shaping that favors bowl dimensions. This piece is an excellent example of Ryan's approach to the Billiard. The bowl is tall and robust, compared to the stretch of shank and stem, rising with a slight taper for tasteful lines and topped with a smooth-polished rim to add elegance against the sandblasted stummel. Even with a generous chamber, this pipe remains impressively lightweight, suitable for hands-free smoking and just short enough to justify slipping into a pocket if needed. Rugged and with a low gloss, the color palette is marked by an earthy, auburn stain, drawing focus to the broad boxwood accent at the stem base — a modern, artisan touch to commend the classic shape.