Ardor Urano Giant Partially Rusticated Magnum Apple Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

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.

Like most of the great Italian workshops, the Roveras’ Ardor has their own line of high-grade rusticated pipes. In fact, Ardor has several. As is the house style, many of Ardor’s rusticated finishes are named after celestial bodies, such as the Meteora (Italian for “meteor”) and, as seen here, the Urano (Italian for “Uranus”). More rugged than the contemporary Castello Sea Rock finishes but not quite as jagged as the old Caminetto Business, it strikes a fine balance, as all Ardor pipes do, between the brash and the beautiful.

This Urano is a little different than most, however, as it is also a rare example of an Ardor Giant. Ardor’s Giants are essentially a series of magnum-sized pipes, often reaching proportions that are, if you’ll excuse the pun, “out of this world.” This partially rusticated apple certainly does, being just shy of 8 inches in length, featuring an enormous chamber, and weighing over 10 ounces. One can only imagine the block of briar that was needed to carve it, let alone how long the carving itself took.

The condition is great. Very minor rim darkening.

Details:

Length: 7.9″ / 200.6mm

Bowl Width: 1.07 / 27.17mm

Bowl Depth: 2.69″ / 68.32mm

Weight: 10.4oz / 296g