Rinaldo Lithos YYY Titania FA (2) Rhodesian Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

As with so many of today’s premier Italian workshop makes, the story of Rinaldo begins at Mastro de Paja. The latter was a workshop founded by Giancarlo Guidi (later of Ser Jacopo) and Giannino Spadoni (later of Fiamma di Re), which the brothers Elio and Guido Rinaldo worked for as teenagers in the 1970s. At the end of the 1980s, the two departed Mastro de Paja to found their own make under their surname. Thus, Rinaldo was born.

Rinaldo nomenclature is complex to say the least. Some of it is intuitive, other parts less so, but every single word, letter, or number indicates something specific about the pipe, reflecting the Rinaldo brothers’ commitment to mapping out every detail about the works they create. “Silver Line” denotes pipes with silver accents, for example. “Titania” is another easy one, at least for speakers of Romance languages, designating Rinaldo pipes with especially large bowls. It’s certainly appropriate here, too, as this one has a genuine titan of a bullcap Rhodesian bowl at its center. “Y” on the other hand indicates grade, with rusticated pipes like this one receiving a possible four “Y”s as regards their quality. Speaking of rustication, “Lithos” designates rusticated finishes, which the Rinaldo brothers have their own distinct approach to (if you’re a classicist and this is all sounding a little Greek, you’re correct. If you’re not a classicist and it’s all sounding a little Greek, that’s also understandable). For more elaborate designs, a circled number (here, “2”) marks the difficulty and craft required to create them, running from “1” to “3.” It’s a lot to take in, though I imagine those with an interest in this pipe will know that as soon as they see it.

The condition is great. Slight inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.69″ / 42.92mm

Weight: 4.7oz / 136g