Viprati Pipe of the Year 2011 Smooth Cauldron Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Much like in Denmark or Japan, many of the great names in Italian artisan pipe-making got their start working for other greats in their famous workshops. This was the case for artisans such as Giancarlo Guidi, Luigi Radice, Sergio Ascorti, and Maurizio Tombari. Luigi Viprati, on the other hand, is one of the few self-taught Italian pipe-makers of the 20th century to have reached the same heights as such contemporaries. First picking up the craft in 1972, Viprati would ultimately become one of the defining names in Italian pipes, which he remained until his passing in 2025.

While most of Luigi Viprati’s pipes were totally unique, one of a kind pieces, there were a few exceptions. Of course, these weren’t factory-made reproductions, but rather special, limited edition series of pipes of the same basic shape, made for certain occasions. One of these series was the Salvador Dali Collection, an annual series of pipes, each of which was inspired by the art of surrealist pioneer Salvador Dalí. Another, slightly more conventional series was his Pipe of the Year, though as can be seen from this 2011 model, the designs were no less daring. One could almost consider it akin to the “cup and saucer” motif explored by Charatan, albeit with a nod to a more Italian form of earthenware, also seen explored by Ser Jacopo and Le Nuvole. It’s a beautiful, distinctive, and very daring pipe, and a testament to Viprati’s abilities that he was able to carve 250 of them. From the looks of it, this one will have been at the higher end of the grading for the Pipe of the Year models, which were offered in a variety of finishes, with corresponding degrees of scarcity (not to mention price points).

The condition is very good. Some slight inner rim darkening and minor handling marks, but nothing at all major. The pipe was clearly well looked after.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.40″ / 35.56mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g