Savinelli Gift & Tobacco Emporium Smooth Pot Estate Briar Pipe

Description

It is probably fair to say that Savinelli is Italy’s most famous pipe brand. Founded in Milan in 1876 by Achille Savinelli, the brand has continuously produced high quality pipes for nearly 150 years. Though various Savinelli lines have come and gone over the years, the brand has always been notable for putting out classically styled pipes with a distinctly Italian twist.

I’ll admit, this pipe had me stumped. I know it’s a Savinelli, as it says so on the bottom of the shank, as well as having the Savinelli shield logo on the stem. A little research also suggested that Gift & Tobacco Emporium was a tobacconist in Illinois, so presumably this pipe was made especially for them. But that shape? That is not a modern Savinelli shape, i.e., the three-digit coded shapes Savinelli has used since the 1970s. So, what shape is it? I had to go through my records to find it, and after about half an hour, I finally worked out what it is. It’s a shape 1015, Savinelli’s long-discontinued straight, tapered stem pot shape. But this pipe also has a decorative shank ring, which the shape 1015 didn’t normally have. I’m not sure what it is – perhaps horn, but I can’t be certain. But it’s yet another thing that makes this Savinelli truly one for the collector.

It’s also simply a beautiful pipe. The orange-red stain isn’t typically seen on contemporary Savinellis, and the cross grain underneath is accentuated nicely. Even if you aren’t a collector, it’ll make for a great looking, great smoking, pipe.

The condition is very good. There are a couple of minor scratches, but the pipe is otherwise remarkably preserved, especially considering that it appears to be many decades old.

Details:

Length: 6″

Bowl Width: 24.0mm

Bowl Depth: 1.4″

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g