By and large, Bill Shalosky's bent Apple shape place an overt emphasis on plumpness of bowl, with the often seriously full-bodied feats of shaping practically dominating his pieces in silhouette. This particular number, on the other hand, presents something far more slender overall, though still one that boasts the carver's characteristic sense of rounded, yet firm shaping. Indeed, with its active stance in profile as a result of its forward-gesturing, high-waisted, tulip-esque bowl and easy, unyielding curved line at the underside, contrasting against the stout, round shank, it stands testament to Bill's overall aesthetic. In a touch of understated class, it's been stained black over a rugged sandblast and paired simply to a jet-black saddle stem, bearing a subtle, warm contrast ring of polished amboyna burl between the two at the shank base.

— Adam O'Neill