Werner Mummert: Sandblasted Optical Illusion Poker Tobacco Pipe

Though not quite among the craziest designs to come from German artisan Werner Mummert, this Poker shape only appears more understated because the German carver wanted it that way. And by understated, I really mean round and cylindrical of bowl, because lets face it, Werner doesn't really do understated. And what I meant by Werner wanting it that way is that he fashioned this piece to visually deceive. It appears fully-round in profile, bolstered even by the concentric ring-grain the carver has coaxed through a deep blast, as well as the wavy, undulating rim, but glancing at the rim or underside reveals a softly-paneled form to the bowl. Werner is a pipemaker with more than a few tricks up his sleeve, and I always look forward to seeing what he has in store next.