Gigi Country Sandblasted Oom Paul Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Gigi pipes occupy an interesting position in the history of Italian pipe-making. The story begins with the founding of Sociedade Rovera, a pipe-making company in Varese, Italy, by the Rovera family. As members of the Rovera family left to start their own ventures, the dynasty associated with the name would be split into several companies; Angelo Rovera created Ardor with his son Dorelio; Federico created Fe.Ro; Massimilliano created Mario Rovera; Fiorenzo created Gardenesa; and Giorgio created Giorgio Rovera, along with partners Angelo and Adele Bianchi. In 1964, Luigi Crugnola, nephew of the Bianchis, took over the Giorgio Rovera make and changed its name to his own – Gigi.

This particular Gigi is a distinctly English take on the Oom Paul, or Hungarian, shape. From its sharp bend to its sandblasted burgundy stain, for a moment there I thought I might be looking at an Ashton. There’s nothing wrong with this, of course, it just goes to show how influential the Great British makes have been on their Italian counterparts – and, often, vice versa.

This Gigi is also completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating to help ease the break in process. It is chambered for 9mm filters as standard, but would likely accommodate an adapter of some variety, if its owner prefers to not use filters.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.68″ / 42.67mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g