Castello Sea Rock Reg Era Lovat Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello quickly became known for producing some of the finest smoking pipes in the world. Over the years, the people involved in making Castello pipes has changed – such as Luigi Radice and Sergio Ascorti, who developed their skills in the Cantu workshop before leaving to start Caminetto, or the handing of the reigns of the company to Francisco ‘Kino’ Coppo after Scotti’s passing – but the superlative quality of Castello pipes has not. It is not without reason that Castello is known as ‘the Italian Dunhill.’

Based on the lack of a size designation and the presence of a registration number on this Castello, I’m inclined to think it an early 1950s piece, which is really something. The rustication style of the Sea Rock Briar finish would certainly track with that. Modern Sea Rocks are far more granular, with the earliest iterations tending to be closer to a weathered stone effect—hence the name. Time has only enhanced this effect, with some slight finish fading lending the pipe an even more rustic appearance.

The condition is fair. Noticeable rim darkening, some slight finish fading, and slightly faded stamping.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.81″ / 45.97mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g