Vitale Rusticated Tulip Dublin w/ Olivewood Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

As a child, Piero Vitale spent many an afternoon in the workshop of his grandfather, who was a carpenter and luthier. This proclivity for working with his hands translated into a number of artistic pursuits as he grew up, including painting and wood carving. Then Vitale was introduced to the world of handmade pipes by a friend and was immediately fascinated. The work of masters such as Tom Eltang and Kent Rasmussen showed that pipes could be true works of art while also being precisely engineered smoking instruments. For over a decade, Vitale has crafted his own hand made pipes, developing a distinct style that expertly balances form and function. This has led to partnerships with several Italian pipe companies, for which Vitale has provided designs, but his greatest achievements continue to be those pipes that he makes by hand alone in his workshop, in a small village in Lombardy.

Italian pipes are famous for their high-grade, rusticated finishes, with this one from Piero Vitale being no different. Where it bucks the trend, however, is the choice of a vertical, linear hand-carving, rather than the more typical pebble-dash of, say, the Castello Sea Rock, or Savinelli Capri and Corallo lines. This alternative path works well in the pipe’s favor, further accentuating Vitale’s signature, highly organic approach to form.

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening and very slight finish fading. The pipe comes with its original sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.8″ / 45.72mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g