Ser Jacopo Pre-1994 Nauta S1 Sandblasted Bent Billiard w/ Silver & Briar Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Ser Jacopo is one of the most famous contemporary examples of high-grade, workshop-made Italian pipes. It also belongs to a very special tradition in Italian pipe making, having been established by Giancarlo Guidi and Bruno Sordini after the two had left another great Italian workshop, Mastro de Paja. Together, Guidi and Sordini created a brand of pipes that reflected their Renaissance sensibilities—even the figurehead of Ser Jacopo happens to be taken from a painting of a nobleman from centuries past—one that would soon become esteemed for creating unique and beautiful tobacco pipes that smoked just as perfectly as they looked.

Not unlike the La Pipaccia series, Ser Jacopo’s Nauta series is a relatively rare one, comprised exclusively of pipes with something of a nautical theme, intended to evoke the pipes historically smoked by Italy’s sailors. And, just like the La Pipaccia, the Nauta was first designed by Giancarlo Guidi. From what I’ve read from Ser Jacopo’s importers back in the day, the Nauta was one of Guidi’s favorite Ser Jacopo series, and when he had the time to enjoy a bowl of his own, it was typically in one of his Nauta pipes. Though not a 1-1, the design is certainly reminiscent of old, early pre-briar pipes, thanks in no small part to its briar-extended shank and silver mount. This one wear’s Ser Jacopo’s “S1” dark sandblast, showcasing an uncommonly craggy, ring grain relief, at least for the Italian make.

As for dating, the Nauta is quite interesting in that very few were made during Guidi’s lifetime, but in the same year he passed (2010), Ser Jacopo re-released the series, putting it into slightly more regular production. I haven’t seen a new one in quite some time, though, so whether periodic production is still going on, I’m not sure. In any case, this particular Nauta is an older one, made back when the Nauta was merely an occasional offering. As I’ve mentioned in previous listings, the sea coral used as a logo on older Ser Jacopo mouthpieces became a protected species across the EU in 1994, so it is likely that the workshop made the switch to red plexiglass around that time (before switching to the current silver “J” in 1997).

The condition is very good. Slight inner rim darkening and finish fading.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.95 / 24.13mm

Bowl Depth: 1.76″ / 44.70mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g