Lasse Skovgaard: Smooth Acorn Tobacco Pipe

Typically, the bowl of a pipe demands the most attention. In regard to shaping and proportions, it's usually a pipe's largest feature, and the lines of the shank and stem often draw attention forward to the bowl. All of that is true in this Acorn by Lasse Skovgaard: The bowl is dominant in profile and receives the visual attention via the dynamic gesture of the shank and stem combination. Balanced tastefully at the fore, the bowl is supported by the underside's consistent curvature, which provides a foundation for the entire composition and displays a teardrop line from heel to shank end. That all said, though, I'm drawn to and taken in by Lasse's approach to the shank and stem of this piece — the symmetry between them beautifully rendered. Both elements are roughly of equal lengths and echo each other in degree of bend. Lastly, the shank flares toward the stem, matching the stem's flare toward the shank, and the implied lines of the two seem to meet. It's beautiful shaping from the Danish artisan, and the presentation suits it, having been dressed in a vibrant and tasteful contrast stain to highlight streaks of flame and birdseye, with a kiss of plateau along the shank face acting as a natural accent.