Cavicchi C Grade Rusticated Lovat w/ Ivorite Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

In 1974, after growing impatient waiting for a pipe he’d ordered, Claudio Cavicchi decided he would simply make his own pipe instead. The former farmer from Bologna, Italy, spent the next 15 years making pipes, until his work took off and received widespread acclaim. Cavicchi’s pipe making exploits have only become more renowned in the decades since. Today, Cavicchi’s pipes hold a firm place at the top of an extraordinarily competitive Italian high-grades scene, being as carefully and meticulously crafted as they are beautiful. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that Claudio himself is a world record holding slow smoking champion.

You know, now that I think about it, I haven’t seen a new rusticated Cavicchi in quite some time, leading me to wonder if he still makes them. I also seem to recall that Claudio Cavicchi’s wife was involved in the finishing of them. Perhaps he only does sandblasted and smooth pipes now? I’m not sure, but I do know that Cavicchi did, at least at one point, make rusticated pipes and, as you might expect, he did so in the manner of that great Italian tradition, the pebble dash. And he was very good at it, utilizing a subtle, two-tone stain that accentuated the tips of a rather sharp take on the finish. This one, for example, is a nicely short and stout Lovat of sorts, with Cavicchi’s rustication further emphasizing its boldness and heft. The narrow Ivorite band accenting the base of its mouthpiece is a great touch too, adding another layer of contrast to the design and breaking up the darker hues otherwise dominating it.

The condition is great. I was not sure if the pipe was unsmoked or just lightly smoked, so I’ll go with the latter just to be safe. The pipe also comes with its original box and sleeve.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g