Ardor (2022) Venere Fantasy Smooth Blowfish with Silver (Estate)

Like many Italian workshop brands, Ardor pipes are a family affair. The name itself is an acronym of Angelo Rovera and Dorelio Rovera, father and son pipe-makers who created the brand in 1972. The Rovera family’s history with pipes goes back much further, however, as Angelo’s own father, Francesco, had previously established the Sociedade Rovera pipe company with his brothers in 1911. All Ardor pipes are completely hand-made from briar that has been seasoned for at least 4-5 years, and the brand is noteworthy for its playful and innovative approaches to design. As a result, Ardor pipes are both quintessentially Italian, while also being somewhat different, having a style that is wholly their own.

Taking its name from the planet Venus, the Venere is the second-highest tier awarded to the Rovera family’s pipes and is, as a consequence, among the rareest (technically, one could say it’s the highest, as Ardor’s system culminates in an even rarer sub-tier of the Venere, known as the Due Punti). Pipes within the Venere series are distinguished by exemplary graining exceeding even that of pipes from Ardor’s other smooth-finished series; they also wear the lightest, most natural of Ardor’s finishes, which serves to fully express the beautiful grain patterns of each pipe. This Venere, for example, is a strikingly distinctive, bird’s-eye-laden take on the blowfish shape, incorporating Danish and Japanese approaches to the form, as well as Ardor’s own, signature ornamentation. The latter comes by way of the Fantasy subseries, which adds a mixture of bright sterling silver and tasteful acrylic accents that give Ardor pipes even more of a unique character.

The condition is great, having only been lightly smoked. This pipe comes with its original box and sleeve.

Details:

Length: 5.9″ / 149.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.72″ / 43.68mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g