Werner Mummert: Sandblasted Bulldog with Polymerized Corn Leaves Tobacco Pipe

Widely revered for his playful design aesthetic, innovative engineering, and remarkable sandblasts, Werner Mummert boasts an eclectic portfolio that spans classic shapes and avant-garde creations alike. Among that fare, the German artisan's signature Bulldog rendition is one of the most recognizable and prolific, and while every version shares characteristic cues, they're all distinguished by diverse color palettes and varying accent materials. For his signature Bulldog, Mummert prioritizes crisp angles and stark rigidity: The ridgelines of the shape's defining diamond shank continue through the bowl's base to create a heel that resembles a ship's prow, with the sides faceted and the fore distinctly pointed in silhouette. Moreover, the typically even upward and downward tapers of the traditional Bulldog bowl are here dramatically reoriented, with the upper bowl tapering much more sharply than the lower portion, and the design's beadlines are position along this upper section, rather than poised centrally to delineate both tapers.

Showcasing Mummert's superlative sandblasting ability, the stummel reveals the briar's natural grain in immensely craggy relief. The growth rings curve in unison with the bowl's shape and offer a delightful texture in hand. The shape and finish exemplify Mummert's personal style, and the overall shape is a customary example of his signature Bulldog form. The accents, however, separate this piece from others in the carver's portfolio: Most notably, the stem base is composed of polymerized corn leaves, creating a three-dimensional aesthetic of slender flora floating in amber. The effect is eminently intriguing, offering endless analysis and appreciation, and for the final accenting touch, Mummert has added a playful, painted icon of a dog just beneath the bowl's rim.