Despite being a shape that is almost exclusively seen in a smooth finish — what, with being designed to show off a specific type of grain pattern — Il Duca's Max Rimensi has here furnished us with an organically sandblasted iteration swapping out the usual cross cut grain pattern for tightly packed ring grain rising up the cheeks, while the fore and aft of the bowl display an impressive showing of blasted birdseye — and all dressed in one of Max's more vibrant contrast stains — a burnt ochre hue interspersed by darker browns. Paired to a jet-black vulcanite stem and a three knuckle stretch of black bamboo, this piece offers an unconventional study in grain patterns, shaping, and finishing.

— Adam M. O'Neill