Gigi 50th Anniversary Smooth Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked [SOLD OUT]

Description

Gigi pipes occupy an interesting position in the history of Italian pipe-making. The story begins with the founding of Sociedade Rovera, a pipe-making company in Varese, Italy, by the Rovera family. As members of the Rovera family left to start their own ventures, the dynasty associated with the name would be split into several companies; Angelo Rovera created Ardor with his son Dorelio; Federico created Fe.Ro; Massimilliano created Mario Rovera; Fiorenzo created Gardenesa; and Giorgio created Giorgio Rovera, along with partners Angelo and Adele Bianchi. In 1964, Luigi Crugnola, nephew of the Bianchis, took over the Giorgio Rovera make and changed its name to his own – Gigi.

I would have to assume that this pipe was made in 2004, 50 years after Gigi Crugnola took over the Giorgio Rovera company. It’s a fitting pipe for the occasion; a distinctly Italian, quarter-bent billiard, dressed in a strawberry blonde stain, with lots of lovely cross grain flowing around its bowl.

The pipe is completely unsmoked, with a workshop-original bowl coating to help ease in its first smokes. It also comes with its original box and, as it’s a pipe made for a very special occasion, it comes with its original Italian leather carrying case.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.6″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g