Ardor 2008 Urano Calabash Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Like many Italian workshop brands, Ardor pipes are a family affair. The name itself is an acronym of Angelo Rovera and Dorelio Rovera, father and son pipe-makers who created the brand in 1972. The Rovera family’s history with pipes goes back much further, however, as Angelo’s own father, Francesco, had previously established the Sociedade Rovera pipe company with his brothers in 1911. All Ardor pipes are completely hand-made from briar that has been seasoned for at least 4-5 years, and the brand is noteworthy for its playful and innovative approaches to design. As a result, Ardor pipes are both quintessentially Italian, while also being somewhat different, having a style that is wholly their own.

The calabash is a shape old enough to predate briar so far as pipe design goes, but that hasn’t stopped the most innovative of artisans of completely re-imagining it for the medium. This Ardor is a perfect example, having the calabash’s signature removable bowl incorporated into an overall composition that is totally novel. The pipe’s bowl and base are made from briar and held together via a screw fitment, with the former wearing a polished straight grain finish and the latter wearing Ardor’s Urano rustication.

The condition is great. Some minor wear to the rim.

 

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.46″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 74g