Clairmont by Tom Spanu, Sandblasted Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked [SOLD]

Description

After arriving in Varese, Italy, with the intention of becoming a pipe-maker, Tommaso Spanu was taken under the wing of Alberto Paronelli, one of the first modern-Italian master carvers. From here, Tom Spanu was charged with creating the high-grade Clairmont make owned and distributed by Paronelli.

I’ve elected to classify this as a Dublin, but to be honest it’s a little more organic and egg-like than Dublins tend to be. The reason for this is likely that it was hand-shaped, rather than bound to the strict affordances of the lathe. It’s a very distinct pipe for something made in Italy – one that’s difficult to compare to any other Italian maker – but this isn’t to its detriment. The combination of ring grain sandblasting and a polished rim works well, and the cumberland-style lucite stem complements the finish of the bowl perfectly.

I don’t think I’ve ever personally come across an unsmoked Tom Spanu pipe before – whether a Clairmont or one made under his own name -but here one is. A nice piece of Italian pipe history, I’d say.

Details:

Length: 5.2″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.6″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g