Mastro de Paja Unica Commissioner Rusticated Billiard w/ Silver Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked, 9mm

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.

While Mastro de Paja originally started out producing simple, neo-traditional designs from its famed Pesaro workshop, its more recent output has brought it closer to the later “Pesaro School” aesthetics seen today. Just as Fiamma di Re and Ser Jacopo moved into more grandiose, ornate works, so did Mastro de Paja. The Commissioner was an example of the latter, though one that still held true to Mastro de Paja’s neoclassical roots. It was, as seen here, a stout, large billiard with a thick, 10mm sterling silver collar. One might note in its basic a form a distinct affinity with certain Anglo-French approaches to pipe design, especially the French Maigret. This is no accident, and in fact the Commissioner got its name from Commissioner Maigret, after whom the French large billiard rendition was originally named. This one, of course, adds a little extra Italian flair, not least via its contrast-lit, pebble-dash rusticated finish. As part of the Unica series, the Commissioner was a limited edition run (of around 150 pipes, if I recall correctly) and is thus no longer in production.

This pipe is completely unsmoked. There’s a little patina on the silverware, though as some prefer that to be left as is, I’ll leave the option of polishing it to the buyer. It comes with its original box and leather sleeve. The pipe is chambered to allow for the use of 9mm filters if desired.

Details:

Length: 6.1″ / 154.9mm

Bowl Width: 0.96 / 24.38mm

Bowl Depth: 1.85″ / 46.99mm

Weight: 2.6oz 70g