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.

There is something distinctly French about this Israeli-made calabash shape, to the point where I first mis-recognized it as a Butz-Choquin. It is a quaint but large design, with around 7 inches in length and a chamber over 2 inches deep. The pipe’s aggressive sandblast provides an interesting contrast with its otherwise stately demeanor.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening. The outer edge of the “cap” section of the bowl looks slightly nicked, but on closer inspection this seems to simply be a product of the strong blast finish.

 

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 2.12″ / 53.84mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g