Mastro de Paja Pompei 500 Smooth Author Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

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.

The Pompei was a series of pipes made by Mastro de Paja a few years back. It is no longer in production, but while it was, one of its defining features was a rather colorful, almost lava-like Lucite mouthpieces, which I would presume is where the name came from. This one takes the form of an eminently Italian author, with a slightly stubby and more than slightly plump stature, and a wide chamber that promises to handle mixture cuts like a champ. Though the Pompei was available in a variety of finishes, this one comes from the higher end of the series, and wears a light brown finish highlighting a finely grained and fittingly fiery bowl.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. It comes with its original box.

Details:

Length: 5.4″ / 137.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.33″ / 42.67mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g