Alpha Sandblasted Calabash Estate Briar Pipe, Israeli Estates

Description

Alpha pipes were made by Israel’s Shalom company. Shalom holds the title of being the only pipe factory to have operated out of Israel. Over the years, Shalom put out pipes in a variety of styles, from classic English and French shapes to pipes with a more modern, Danish aesthetic. Alpha was a Shalom brand used solely for exports.

It appears that Alpha’s Calabash was not simply a model the company offered, but a whole series of designs, with each exploring different aspects of its titular shape. This one retains the height and length of the classic calabash, along with its funneled bowl shape, but opts to omit the “cap” in favor of a more Dublin-esque profile. As with other pipes in the Calabash series, this one is ruggedly sandblasted and contrast stain, which juxtaposes nicely with the more stately demeanor of its namesake.

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

 

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 2.06″ / 52.32mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g