Savinelli Nonpareil 9101 Smooth Billiard w/ Horn Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

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 offered 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.

Taking its name from an archaic term for “without equal,” Savinelli’s Nonpareil was one of its top-of-the-line series from the mid- to late-20th century. These pipes were distinguished by their exceptional grain, horn (or imitation horn) ferrules, and flared ebonite stems, along with two gold dots on the latter. Like the Estella and Punto Oro Corallo, Savinelli’s Nonpareil series has become a cult-favorite over the years but, unfortunately, it also shows no signs of returning. This one is a very unusual shape, even amidst the already quite unorthodox stylings of the Nonpareil range, with a convex rim and a slight protrusion at the base of the bowl. Combined with the pipe’s horn ferrule and flared ebonite stem, I am reminded—albeit just a little—of the famous Bo Nordh pot, or Bo Pot, found in Scandinavian pipe making, though I very much doubt that was the intention.

The condition is good. Minor inner rim charring, top of the chamber slightly over-reamed, and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g