Tomato

Tomato tobacco pipes have low, rounded bowls that are noticeably wider than they are tall. Their squat proportions and softly curved sides recall the shape of a tomato, producing a substantial profile without requiring an especially tall chamber.

The Tomato is closely related to the Apple, Author, and Diplomat, and the boundaries between these shapes are not always exact. Tomatoes generally emphasize a low, broad bowl, while Authors commonly pair a similarly full bowl with a thicker shank and stem. Modern pipe makers also produce asymmetrical, paneled, and highly sculptural variations. Both straight and bent Tomatoes are possible, though bent interpretations are especially common.

The name refers only to the shape. Tomato pipes can be smooth, sandblasted, rusticated, or finished with a combination of techniques, and they may be made from briar, meerschaum, or other materials. MBSD’s changing inventory includes new, estate, and unsmoked estate examples from factory brands and individual pipe makers.