Mario Grandi Smooth Olive Wood Poker Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Mario Grandi pipes are made by Italy’s Pierluigi family, headed by Aldo Pierluigi, an artisan pipe-maker since the 1970s. The Pierluigi family are also responsible for the Pierluigi make, as well as Mastro Beraldi.

Before briar became the widely-adopted standard for pipe making in the later 19th century, there were many other hardwoods that were contenders to replace fragile clays and expensive meerschaums. Beech wood and cherry wood were two common examples, as was olive wood. In fact, olivewood would remain a minor staple in Italian pipes even as briar attained its hegemony. This has not changed, with makers as varied as Tom Spanu, Il Duca (Massimiliano Rimensi), Radice, and Tonino Jacono still offering olivewood pipes alongside their briars. This Mario Grandi pipe follows in that national tradition, taking the form of an exceptionally sturdy poker sitter. One of the most interesting things about olivewood are its grain patterns which, as seen here, have their own kind of “ring grain” striations around the pipe’s bowl.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 5.4″ / 137.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.46″ / 37.08mm

Weight: 3.8oz / 110g