Tom Spanu R Rusticated “Genovese” Cutty Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

After arriving in Varese, Italy, with the intention of becoming a pipe-maker, Tommaso Spanu was taken under the wing of Alberto Paronelli, one of the first modern-Italian master carvers. From here, Tom Spanu was charged with creating the high-grade Clairmont make owned and distributed by Paronelli. He then went on to create pipes under his own name, becoming one of Italy’s most renowned and respected artisans. After crafting pipes for over 50 years, Tommaso Spanu passed away in 2015.

Pipe shapes tend to be more or less universal and, in the contemporary, the names these shapes go by tend to be consistent from place to place. Such is the nature of language as mediated through sprawling networks of international trade. There are, however, some shapes that are more common, or significant, in distinct locales, to the extent that they have retained names reflective of the community they belong to. The “Genovese,” or “Genovesina,” is one example of this. It is most typically associated with early briars, such as those of Saint-Claude, where it goes by the name of the “cutty.” But it also has a special place in the history of Italian pipes, and even today, non-Italian cutty shapes are commonly referred to by their Italian name in Italian and Italophone contexts.

This one from Tommaso Spanu takes that Italian connection even further, with utilizing the nation’s favorite pipe making pastime, pebble-dash rustication, to create a very unique take on the classic shape. As the finishing is more or less natural, I expect it will take on a bit of a golden patina after a while, too.

The condition is good. Some slight scratches on the rim and chamber slightly over-reamed.

Details: 

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g