Bonfiglioli 2011 Free Form Sandblasted Dublin w/ Silver Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Having been making pipes since 1974, Alberto Bonfiglioli is one of Italy’s most seasoned artisans. Based in Bologna, where he runs his own pipe store and local pipe club, Bonfiglioli today makes around 100 pipes per year, using only choice briar aged for at least a decade.

Back in 2011, Alberto Bonfiglioli made a few special pipes for what appears to have been a local cards tournament (according to his own website, that is). Each was a stout and sturdy smoker in his signature style, with addition of specially worked accents of sterling silver. Given the nomenclature (dated to 2011 by the three “A”s around a “B,” to commemorate three generations of the Bonfilgioli family) and the Ace of Hearts affixed to its shank, I’d wager that this freehand Dublin was part of the aforementioned cards tournament series, especially given the latched presentation case it comes in.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.93 / 23.62mm

Bowl Depth: 1.62″ / 41.14mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g