Aldo Velani XL Smooth Calabash w/ Brass Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Aldo Velani pipes are made by Cesare Barontini at the latter’s factory in Italy. Originally, Aldo Velani was conceived by Mastercraft to be a new Italian make for the American market, as all of Mastercraft’s other pipes at the time were of English or French origin. Mastercraft partnered with Barontini, and thus the Aldo Velani make was born. More recently, Aldo Velani was acquired by Mitchell Thomas, with production – still by Barontini – recommencing after 2008.

While calabashes were originally made using hollowed gourd and meerschaum, the shape would soon enough migrate to the medium of briar, as popular designs often do. Here we have a nice example from Italy’s Aldo Velani, with a light, reddish-brown finish that gestures a little toward its origins, while also highlighting the patterning unique to briar. Note that this is also, from a technical standpoint, a “true” calabash, as the cap and chamber can be removed from the bowl’s hollow main body.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim darkening and very slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.49″ / 37.84mm

Weight: 2.8oz / 80g