Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Bent Bulldog with Silver (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

Though the Bulldog is a classic shape, fitting well into Ryan Alden's propensity for traditional English designs, this particular rendition is a creative departure from the standard form. The bowl is still marked by beadlines and tapers above and below, but those tapers are quite exaggerated in this piece, presenting an extra-broad form in hand. Furthermore, the heel curves seamlessly into the shank, which continues that trajectory, lending the profile the impression of being bent, though this piece is for all intents and purposes a straight rendition — with perhaps a slight bend to the saddle stem balancing the slight curve of the shank. Such shaping makes for quite the flowing silhouette, contrasting against the bowl's crisp angles and the shank's firm paneling. While the shaping drifts slightly from traditional Bulldog shaping cues, the finish that Alden employed is right in line with classic English presentations: The sandblast is dark-stained and reveals a deep, craggy texture, while a flashy band of sterling silver adds formal contrast and elegant appeal.