Mastro de Paja Partially Rusticated Cherrywood Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Like Castello, Mastro de Paja holds a special place in the world of Italian high-grade pipe workshops. Founded in 1972 by Giancarlo Guidi, the MdP team was soon joined by Giannino Spadoni and Bruto Sordini with the Guidi and Spadoni at the helm of the company until 1981. Guidi then left with Sordini to found Ser Jacopo, and Sordini would later leave Ser Jacopo to found Don Carlos. Spadoni, on the other hand, stayed at MdP until he also left, after which he founded Fiamma di Re. Today, Mastro de Paja is guided by Alberto Montini, with the workshop being known for both the manufacture of some of Italy’s most admired pipes, and for having launched the careers of some of its most respected artisans.

When Mastro de Paja was founded, the workshop set about creating entirely handmade, perfectly executed renditions of traditional shapes, with some slight artisan, and slight “Italian,” touches. Today, Mastro de Paja’s pipes are more ornate, following a similar evolution to other “Pesaro school” workshops, such as Ser Jacopo, Fiamma di Re, or L’Anatra. This Mastro de Paja comes from a time in between the the more conservative leanings of the workshop’s early decades, and the Baroque designs of many of its contemporary offerings. Taking the form of a quite classical cherrywood, the pipe is dressed in Italy’s favorite pebble-dash rustication and features a distinctive accent cut from ivory- and amber-hued acrylic, adding an extra dash of color and finery to the overall aesthetic.

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

Details:

Length: 5.9″ / 149.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.72″ / 43.68mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g