Gasparini Smooth Long Shank Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Founded in 1938 by Mario and Ida Gasparini, Gasparini is one of Italy’s oldest surviving pipe factories. What’s more, Gasparini has remained a family affair in the decades since, with Mario and Ida’s daughter Marissa having been at the helm of the company since the 1970s.

Gasparini pipes come in a mixture of styles. Some are very traditional, while others are more experimental, and even stray into the realm of “pipe art.” This one, from the make’s handmade series, is more in line with the latter, for instance, and features something that is more common in Italian pipes than just about anywhere in the world presently: a curved bore within its shank. Various pipe manufacturers and artisans have used flexible drilling in the past to achieve otherwise impossible curvatures in their designs, such as certain old French swan-neck billiard renditions. While it’s certainly not widely practiced, there are a few Italian makes that have put such techniques to use in their pipes, such as Viprati and Ser Jacopo. This bent brandy from Gasparini cuts a very striking figure, with a long shank that travels almost 90 degrees before reaching the pipe’s mouthpiece.

The condition is very good. Very slight rim darkening and minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.93 / 23.62mm

Bowl Depth: 1.68″ / 42.67mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g