Proxima Contrast Sandblasted Dublin with Santos Rosewood (New)

Since the 1940s, renowned artisans in the high-grade scene have lent designs to pipe factories and workshops, so that they may be produced at a larger scale and at a price point that suits just about any budget. The post-war Danish pipe companies were the pioneers of this manufacturing model, though soon enough, companies in America, Japan, Germany, and France would follow suit.

In Italy, one of the most significant contemporary developments in artisan-designed factory briars has been through the work of Piero Vitale. Vitale is an acclaimed pipe carver both at home and abroad, with an instantly recognizable style and a portfolio full of signature designs. And while he’s spent many years crafting high-grade, handmade pipes in his Lombardy workshop, he’s also spent a lot of time and energy finding ways to bring the unique aesthetic they represent to a wider audience. More specifically, he’s focused on increasing the accessibility and availability of his designs.

Proxima is one of the fruits of this endeavor. Each entry in the Proxima series is designed by Vitale, with the shapes, finishes, and accents featured in the series mirroring the kinds of pipes Vitale crafts as a solo artisan. Even the briar used to craft Proxima pipes is selected by Vitale himself. The crafting itself, however, is done in partnership Pipa Croci, an artisan-led workshop in the Italian city of Varese, and it’s this division of labor that ultimately allows Vitale’s Proxima pipes to be offered at such a reasonable price.

Details:

Length: 4.7″ / 119.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g