Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Volcano (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

A Texas-based carver with a history of artistic accomplishments, Ryan Alden has a background in sculpture, painting, woodturning and leatherworking, among others. Lucky for us and others following this man of many talents, Ryan has put those accumulated skills to use in creating beautiful pipes that tend toward interpretations of classic forms.

This Volcano design is only the second we've received from Ryan in six years and is traditionally designed, with the broad-based, conical bowl displaying a gradual taper toward the rim. The heel juts past the fore, while an elongated transition segues to an upturned triangular shank. Structural in disposition, the linework is crisp and precise. Wearing a well-executed tanblast that reveals stunningly tight stacks of ring grain, even through the left side of the shank, this piece is further accentuated by a half-saddle, hand-funneled, brindled stem of blue and yellow colors, pairing nicely with the hues of the stummel.