Thomas Cristiano Signature XL Partially Rusticated Paneled Canadian w/ Silver Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

While originally born in Italy, Thomas Cristiano emigrated to the United States at the age of 16, quickly finding work in the S.M. Frank factory in Long Island. For many years, Cristiano worked at S.M. Frank, rising through the ranks to become one of the company’s main supervisors, where he oversaw the production of Kaywoodie, Medico, and Yello-Bole pipes. In 1982, Cristiano left S.M. Frank to start his own pipe business, through which he both distributed pipes from major Italian makes, such as L’Anatra, and manufactured his own, which included the Calabresi and Thomas Cristiano makes.

While the T. Cristiano brand made affordable, Italian factory briars, it also offered high-grade, handmade pipes under the “Signature” line, so-called because the pipes were stamped with Cristiano’s signature. It appears that many of these pipes were made for Cristiano by Massimo Palazzi and Andrea Pascucci of L’Anatra, and in the case of this one, the style does fit, especially with some of the older designs of the Pesaro duo. Taking the form of an extra large, paneled Canadian, the pipe is finished with a pebble-dash rustication and furnished with a sterling silver collar, wedding the bold and the beautiful in a manner seemingly effortless to the Italian artisan scene.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and finish fading.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 2.04″ / 51.81mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g