Savinelli Stellar 515 KS Rusticated Panel Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates, 6mm

Description

It is probably fair to say that Savinelli is Italy’s most famous pipe brand. Founded in Milan in 1876 by Achille Savinelli, the brand has continuously offered high quality pipes for nearly 150 years. Though various Savinelli lines have come and gone over the years, the brand has always been notable for putting out classically styled pipes with a distinctly Italian twist.

I have a feeling that the now-discontinued “Stellar” was closely related to another discontinued Savinelli line, one called the Estella. For those who don’t know, the Estella is a genuine cult classic within the Savinelli catalog, one that is only more so for being briefly produced many decades ago. For some reason, the Estella went through various, sporadic phases of discontinuation, revival (such as the Estella Nonpareil), and discontinuation once again. It was distinguished by its very rugged, tactile rustication and (most often) colorful Lucite stems. Some Estellas were carved in “freehand” styles, whereas others were carved to fit closer to Savinelli’s contemporaneous shape charts. I suspect that the Stellar, not unlike the Estella Nonpareil, was a reissue of sorts of the latter, given the similarities between the two. The main difference I note is the addition of a tasteful, narrow brass accent at the base of the stem. In any case, it makes for a highly distinctive rendition of Savinelli’s 515 KS foursquare, i.e., panel billiard, shape.

The condition is good. Some finish fading and general wear to the rim. The pipe is chambered to allow for the use of 6mm filters, such as Savinelli’s own balsa filters, but will perform perfectly well without one.

 

Details:

Length: 6.0″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.89 / 22.60mm

Bowl Depth: 1.62″ / 41.14mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g