Castello 2006 Limited Edition Sea Rock Briar G Chiodo (Nail) Rusticated Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello quickly became known for producing some of the finest smoking pipes in the world. Over the years, the people involved in making Castello pipes has changed – such as Luigi Radice and Sergio Ascorti, who developed their skills in the Cantu workshop before leaving to start Caminetto, or the handing of the reigns of the company to Francisco ‘Kino’ Coppo after Scotti’s passing – but the superlative quality of Castello pipes has not. It is not without reason that Castello is known as ‘the Italian Dunhill.’

The Castello workshop does not use precious metals, such as silver, or indeed other finery, as much as other Italian workshops, though when it does, it often takes a rather unorthodox approach. For example, since at least the 2000s, Castello has put out various limited edition pipes with sterling silver adornments. Instead of being simple collars or engine-turned bands, these adornments have taken unusual forms, from owls, to chains, to vines, and, in the case of this one, nails. Officially known as the Chiodo, which is Italian for “nail,” these special pipes were limited to just 145 pieces in total and available in several of Castello’s house finishes. As can be seen on this classic Sea Rock Briar Dublin, the figure of the nail has been shaped to give the impression of having pieced the shank (don’t worry, it doesn’t) and been hammered over—almost as if the pipe was pieced back together by whatever the briar version of Dr Frankenstein is.

The condition is very good. Some minor inner rim charring and rim darkening.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.93 / 23.62mm

Bowl Depth: 1.80″ / 45.72mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g