Savinelli Autograph 5 Large Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

It is probably fair to say that Savinelli is Italy’s most famous pipe brand. Founded in Milan in 1876 by Achille Savinelli, the brand has continuously offered high quality pipes for nearly 150 years. Though various Savinelli lines have come and gone over the years, the brand has always been notable for putting out classically styled pipes with a distinctly Italian twist.

Like the Charatan freehand workshop in mid-20th century England, or Tsuge’s Ikebana workshop in late-20th century and 21st century Japan, Savinelli has its own, special area of the company’s campus reserved for master artisans, where non-standard pipe shapes are carved using artisan techniques. Typically, the results lean into a distinct, Italian idea of what a freehand pipe should be, but, every so often, something much wilder emerges. I’d say this Autograph is one the latter. There’s certainly more of a Danish bent to it, with the most obvious comparison being Preben Holm, yet it both bold and elegant in a way that ensures that it’s far from derivative. The mixed finish, in the form of a sandblasted shank, has the effect of foregrounding the bowl and its copious straight grain and furled rear section even more. This may well be my favorite Autograph design I’ve yet seen.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 1.01 / 25.65mm

Bowl Depth: 2.02″ / 51.30mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 76g