Castello “Castello” 4K Spiral Carved Egg 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.’

I don’t need to tell you that this isn’t your average Castello. Sure, it’s a shape 93, which is one of Castello’s army mount bent egg shapes, but unlike the standard 93, it’s also hand carved with a spiraling, furrowed design, whose added depth creates a “weaving” effect with the straight grain underneath. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this distinct design debuted at the 2008 Las Vegas pipe show (specifically, the shape 93 version), albeit with a wind cap and a Lucite mount, rather than the briar one seen here. In any case, it’s not a pipe you see often, even if you’re an estates vendor like me, but when you do see it, it’s always a pleasure.

The condition is very good. Some darkening and slight charring on the inner rim, and a couple of minor handling marks.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.94″ / 49.27mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g