Castello Old Antiquari KKKK Sandblasted Nosewarmer Apple (Estate)

In the world of pipes, Italy is famous for its workshops—institutions that operate at a smaller scale to factories, but in which expert artisans work tirelessly to create pipes entirely by hand. Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello is one of the oldest and most renowned of these workshops, and Castello pipes are often spoken of as Italy’s answer to England’s famous Dunhill pipes. Known for its equally high-grade smooth, sandblasted, and rusticated finishes, Castello’s legacy is felt not only in the continued success of the make itself, but also in the various, similarly high-end workshops founded by former Castello craftsmen, such as Caminetto, Radice, and Ascorti.

The Old Antiquari is Castello’s flagship sandblasted line and, as I’ve mentioned before, the Castello workshop’s sandblasting falls somewhere between the “Anglo-American approach” and “Italian approach” to such finishes. The former tend to be deep and craggy, while the lighter are typically a little lighter, exhibiting a tight, netted relief.

This one is rendered in a strikingly and unusually stubby interpretation of what looks to be the workshop’s shape “63” bent apple, juxtaposing a near-nosewarmer length with an unabashed plumpness.

The condition is very good. Very minor rim darkening and chamber slightly over-reamed at the lip. This pipe comes with its original box and sleeve.

Details:

Length: 5.1″ / 129.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 74g