Mauro Armellini Direttore XL Rusticated Cavalier Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Armellini is something of a hidden gem in the world of Italian pipe-making. It is also a make that deserves more recognition, given the singular contributions of its namesake, Mauro Armellini, to Italian pipe history. Mauro himself began his pipe-making career at the Rossi factory in the 1960s, before it was acquired by Savinelli. Later, Mauro worked for Savinelli, where he played an instrumental role in developing many of its iconic rustication styles, such as the coveted Corallo finish. After leaving Savinelli, Mauro created his own make, Mauro Armellini. In his workshop in Barasso, in northern Italy, he crafted these pipes alongside his four daughters. After Mauro passed in 2004, his daughter Wilma took the reins of the Armellini workshop, which continues to produce hand made pipes in both traditional and modern freehand styles.
Cavalier shapes feature prominently in Mauro Armellini’s portfolio, though, being a highly experienced, Italian pipe maker, his renditions tended to have plenty of distinctly Italian character. This one is a true cavalier, and its shaping quite faithfully recalls the hunter’s pipes from which the briar cavalier first descended. The finishing, however, makes it far more unique, with the bowl having been dressed in exactly the kind of pebble-dash rustication Italian pipes are known for—in part because Mauro Armellini himself helped design and pioneer them.

The condition is good. Some darkening and minor finish fading on the rim.

Details:

Length: 7.3″ / 185.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.59″ / 40.38mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g