Castello 1960s-80s Sea Rock Briar 4K 293 Sitter Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello quickly became known for producing some of the finest smoking pipes in the world. Over the years, the people involved in making Castello pipes has changed – such as Luigi Radice and Sergio Ascorti, who developed their skills in the Cantu workshop before leaving to start Caminetto, or the handing of the reigns of the company to Francisco ‘Kino’ Coppo after Scotti’s passing – but the superlative quality of Castello pipes has not. It is not without reason that Castello is known as ‘the Italian Dunhill.’

It would not be unreasonable to say that Castello’s Sea Rock Briar is a significant part of why rusticated finishes, instead of merely being associated with low-quality wood, hold a firm place in our conception of a “high-grade pipe.” This is especially true for Italian pipes (though not exclusively), where well-made, granular, “rocky” finishes are practically a prerequisite for workshops aiming for the big leagues. This particular Castello is rather interesting, however, as it is a rare example of a Sea Rock Briar in a light, natural finish, as opposed to a dark brown or fumed red one (the latter ultimately becoming the “Old Sea Rock). As I’ve mentioned in other listings, I do wonder whether this practice ended with the arrival of the Natural Vergin (essentially a Sea Rock Briar in a near-naked stain) which was formally put into production in the 1980s. As evinced by the uppercase “K” grading on this one, it will have been made some time between the end of the 1960s and the early 1980s, so that may well be the case.

The condition is great. Some wear to the rim, but nothing major.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.86″ / 47.24mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g