Smooth Tulip (1508) Tobacco Pipe

Wojtek Pastuch is a celebrated Polish carver known for his wide-ranging style. Having been mentored by Tom Eltang, much of his stylistic influence comes from the Danish school of pipe making. His portfolio consists of shapes running the gamut from the eccentric to the refined and classic, with this Tulip straddling the line between classic Danish style and Pastuch's own unique shaping sensibilities. Fundamentally, to make this shape, Pastuch has taken the Egg and added fluted ruffles to the bowl's rim and the shank end to evoke the appearance of a real life tulip.

I have to say that I really love this pipe. The linework is supple, giving it a soft and organic shape that looks as though it could have been formed from clay, not a hardwood like briar. Particularly, at the top of the bowl on its front side, the way Pastuch melded the bowl's plump curvature into the blooming cusp of the rim is incredibly well done. Looking at it, it is as though one could press a finger to the surface and expect it to give the way a real flower would. Subtle lines emerge gradually from the bowl's walls and curve out to form the petals that frame the rim. Pastuch has applied impressive attention to detail to this rim, with the top of the chamber rippling along the boundary of the petals. The shank face has received a similar treatment as the rim, though in a more subdued form. A sleek curve underscores the pipe from rim to shank face, furthering the tulip imagery by helping make the bowl look like the flower blossoming at the tip of a stem.

Pastuch's excellent eye for reading the briar is on full display with this pipe. Cross grain at the flanks perfectly trace the path of the stummel's arched form, and thick, tangled webs of birdseye drift across the top and bottom, adding a frilled and floral element to the piece. This is a one-of-a-kind piece of artisanship from a master of the craft, sure to be a standout addition to any collection.