Mauro Armellini Partially Rusticated Dublin 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.

Speaking of rustication, here we find an example of exactly that. One can quite easily see the parallels between this Mauro Armellini Dublin and the Capri and Corallo finishes he will have worked on at Savinelli, though in this instance the classic Italian pebble-dash has been given both a “fumed” exterior and a rather beautiful—and quite unconventional—smooth polished rim. While I am very partial to the older Savinelli rusticated finishes, I’d say this is a little of a step up from those, especially given that it was made by hand.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim darkening. I do notice a small, natural imperfection in the briar at the shank end, though as that part of the pipe is also silver mounted, it’s not something I would be concerned about.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.77″ / 44.95mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g