Mastro de Paja 3B + 1 Sun Media Smooth Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Like Castello, Mastro de Paja holds a special place in the world of Italian high-grade pipe workshops. Founded in 1972 by Giancarlo Guidi, the MdP team was soon joined by Giannino Spadoni and Bruto Sordini with the Guidi and Spadoni at the helm of the company until 1981. Guidi then left with Sordini to found Ser Jacopo, and Sordini would later leave Ser Jacopo to found Don Carlos. Spadoni, on the other hand, stayed at MdP until he also left, after which he founded Fiamma di Re. Today, Mastro de Paja is guided by Alberto Montini, with the workshop being known for both the manufacture of some of Italy’s most admired pipes, and for having launched the careers of some of its most respected artisans.

The first decades of Mastro de Paja pipes, to which this one belongs (roughly 1981-1995) were characterized by two points of emphasis: shape and grain. Contemporary Mastro de Paja pipes are a little flashier in their ornamentation. The older production, on the other hand, relied largely on careful, hand-shaped reinterpretation of traditional shapes, and enjoyable briar patterns. If the latter were nice enough, the pipes would receive a quintessentially Italian, light blonde stain, which this one has. Bearing a “3B 1 Sun” grade, it features excellent straight grain and a natural stain. “Media,” on the other hand, designates the size, in this case that the pipe is of medium proportions.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening, top of the chamber ever so slightly over-reamed. Nothing major.

 

Details:

Length: 5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.3″ / 33.02mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g