Werner Mummert: Sandblasted Hawkbill Tobacco Pipe

As Werner Mummert shapes go, this Hawkbill hews closer to traditional pipe design — Italian in this case — yet it still brings the undeniable uniqueness we expect from his pieces. A plump bowl perches nimbly on the end of a recurved shank, displaying the classic Hawkbill profile at a glance. However, upon a closer look, I see that the mocha-hued vulcanite stem first turns down, as one should expect from the shape, then lift just slightly upward right at the button. The offset saddle design of the stem, with the top tapered and the underside carved away, draws the eye away from the unique upturn at first, playfully keeping this delight hidden from a casual gaze.

We see a lot of very interesting finishes from the German artisan, but this one is executed in keeping with the overall aesthetic, which is to say traditional at a distance but exquisite up close. It's a sandblast in contrasting hues of auburn and charcoal, but it's not just any sandblast; Mummert has worked his magic in the blasting cabinet to bring out in sharp relief tightly stacked ring grain all around the bowl. The effect is visually appealing and stimulating to the finger pads, but I find additional joy in a discrete detail on the rounded heel: Werner has taken the bottom-most growth ring to a point, then traced a discrete ridgeline from that point up both flanks of the shank. It's a subtle thing that could be easily missed, which makes it all the more enjoyable once found. This pipe is masterfully executed, with an abundance of detailed craftsmanship that simply must be held and gazed at to appreciate. For the discerning collector who has been eyeing Mummert's exemplary work but wants a more traditional shape, this pipe deserves serious consideration.