Mauro Armellini Corteccia 05 Oom Paul, Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates [SOLD]

Description

Armellini is something of a hidden gem in the world of Italian pipe-making. It is also a make that deserves more recognition, given the singular contributions of its namesake, Mauro Armellini, to Italian pipe history. Mauro himself began his pipe-making career at the Rossi factory in the 1960s, before it was acquired by Savinelli. Later, Mauro worked for Savinelli, where he played an instrumental role in developing many of its iconic rustication styles, such as the coveted Corallo finish. After leaving Savinelli, Mauro created his own make, Mauro Armellini. In his workshop in Barasso, in northern Italy, he crafted these pipes alongside his four daughters. After Mauro passed in 2004, his daughter Wilma took the reins of the Armellini workshop, which continues to produce handmade pipes in both traditional and modern freehand styles.

If you know your English pipes (such as Ferndown or James Upshall), you’ll know that “bark” is often synonymous with rusticated pipes – at least, in the Anglophone world. Now, any guesses what “corteccia” might translate to? That’s right – “bark.” I have to wonder if Armellini might have been inspired in some way by the English makes just mentioned, as the word is by no means a direct translation of “rusticated” (that would be “rusticata“) nor a synonym in Italian pipe-making. The pipe is, however, very Italian. The pebble-dash rustication is about as Italian as it gets, and the playful reinterpretation of classical shapes, such as the Oom Paul seen here, is a staple in the Italian workshops. This “05,” for example, is reminiscent of some of the older Caminetto shape “151” renditions, or even Castello’s shape “293.” As with each of the Italian workshops, however, this Armellini is very much its own thing.

The condition is excellent. There’s a little darkening on the back rim, but it’s minor.

 

Details:

Length: 5.4″ / 137.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.8″ / 45.72mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g