Castello “Castello” G Large Smooth Panel Shank Egg Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

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” is the Castello’s signature (in more ways than one) rendition of the light, blonde finish that has come to define high-grade Italian pipes. And, as with Castello’s other smooth finishes, each is graded by the number of “k”s stamped on the bowl—referencing Carlo Scotti’s early partner, the late Franco Coppo, and his nickname, “Kino.” But there are exceptions to every rule. In the case of Castello, the exception is for oversized renditions of classic Castello shapes, which are stamped from “G” to “GGG,” depending on just how oversized these pipes are. This one, for example, looks to be a very large rendition of the shape 83 bent egg, which the Castello workshop itself refers to as a “Bottle.” Interestingly it is also an uncommon example of a shape 83 with a paneled shank—something not unheard of, but rare nonetheless. The pipe is gorgeous and it is quite striking how much it resembles a high-grade Danish egg, though with a far more Italian, blonde finish. As for dating, “G” grade pipes tend to make things a little difficult as far as narrowing down periods of manufacture goes, though the “Carlo Scotti” stamp indicates this pipe as being at least pre-2007

This pipe is completely unsmoked. It comes with its original sleeve.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 2.11″ / 53.59mm

Weight: 2.8oz / 82g