Werner Mummert: Smooth Bulldog with Fordite Tobacco Pipe

Werner Mummert's Bulldog renditions are some of the most striking takes on the shape I know of, often showcasing a look similar to more classic examples, though possessed of a more pronounced musculature and a silhouette reminiscent of Brutalist architecture. These Bulldogs can vary in appearance, though this particular example is one of the more reserved iterations of the shape, its wide transition giving way to a firm, diamond-shaped shank and stem combination. Said transition is cheeked, and this subtle cinching of the briar underscores the sharpness of the shank-and-stem's crisp ridgelines while simultaneously enhancing the bowl's subdued roundness. As the shank and stem reach out of the transition, they take on a compressed, ovoid look that broadens their presence while keeping the profile of the composition comparatively sleek. The ridges at the flanks of the shank reach the transition and curl up and around the flanks of the bowl, plunging at the fore and terminating at a short, horizontal ridge that connects the ridges at both flanks and creates an incredible sharpness at the heel itself. The connecting ridge additionally denotes a long, flat panel that runs from the heel to the base of the stem, granting this pipe a stable sitting ability and further reinforcing the overall firmness of the piece altogether. Up front, the bowl stands atop the pipe's rakish heel and grows impressively thick walls that flare subtly toward a broad, floral rim whose surface is carved in a rippling, wave-like pattern interrupted by twin beadlines set near the outer edge. This reinterpretation of the Bulldog's iconic bowl is a striking one, and the stummel is dressed in a warm, light stain that showcases a wealth of beautiful grain, the bowl itself boasting ample space to display dense, flickering flame. For contrast, the saddle stem is made from vibrant red vulcanite, standing out against the stummel's finish alongside the accent of Fordite at the base: displaying a striking palette thanks to its composition of myriad layers of hand-sprayed enamel paint harvested from automotive factories.