Madao 3000 Natural Sandblasted Nepenthes with Boxwood (New)

Madao 3000 is the pipe making moniker of Beijing-based artisan Wang Tieyuan. Inspired equally by post-Scandinavian giants, such as Hiroyuki Tokutomi and by classical Asian art and philosophy, Tieyuan’s work is focused on exploring themes such as asymmetry and motion in ways that are, nonetheless, balanced and harmonious. A strict minimalist, Tieyuan eschews contrast stains and fanciful adornments in his designs; instead, he most often employs simple matte or natural finishes, is sparing with his use of accents (if he uses them at all), and upholds, in each pipe he makes, the primacy of line, figure, and form.

Named for a genus of carnivorous tropical plants, the Nepenthes is Wang Tieyuan’s interpretation of a minor theme within contemporary artisan pipe making, that of the “pitcher.” It’s a theme that allows for a number of distinct approaches (as organically-inspired shapes tend to do), with Tieyuan’s approach here focusing on the pitcher’s large, imposing, and unashamedly bulbous stature—in a way that almost looks as though it’s been caught “mid-meal.” The finishing is one of a natural sandblast, with Tieyuan choosing to leave the briar’s exposed growth rings on full display, while the pipe’s accent and mouthpiece have been cut from boxwood and black German ebonite.

Details:

Length: 6.6″ / 167.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.72″ / 18.28mm

Bowl Depth: 1.68″ / 42.67mm

Bowl Height: 2.06″ / 52.32mm

Weight: 3.1oz / 88g