Raffaello by Barontini XL Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

While not as well known as other Italian pipe brands, Barontini is one of the oldest in the country. Founded in 1890 in Tuscany by Turildo Barontini, the company initially only produced briar, but in 1925, Turildo’s son Bruno shifted the operation to making pipes from this briar. Later, the company was inherited by Cesare Barontini, whose name is most readily associated with Barontini pipe production. Barontini is still operated by Cesare and his wife today.

Raffaello has operated as a sub-brand of sorts for Barontini across the decades, though its status in relation to Barontini-brand pipes is a little of a mystery to me. Rather than a seconds line, it looks more like Raffaello was a way for Barontini to market pipes that were a little different to the Barontini style. Some have been a little “Danish,” some in the sense of being slightly similar to Stanwell or Kriswill shapes, others being “freehand” style. This is one of the latter, resembling the “fancy” freehand pipes pioneered by Erik Nording and Preben Holm, and subsequently adopted internationally by certain makes, including Italy’s Savinelli. This Raffaello one is impressively cut, with tight, straight grain that rivals even some of Savinelli’s higher-grade Autographs.

The condition is great. Some minor wear to the inner rim.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 2.27″ / 57.65mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 76g