Ardor Mercurio Fantasy Smooth Pear 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.

As I’ve discussed previously in other listings, Ardor’s range of finishes take their names from celestial bodies. The Marte, for example, takes its name from the Italian word for Mars; the Giove from Jupiter; and the Mercurio, from Mercury. This particular pipe is a Mercurio model, and though I’m not entirely sure how each of Ardor’s finishes ties to its name, it is quite fitting that this gorgeous, flame grain pear invokes the closest planet to the sun. As for the Fantasy designation, which this pipe also bears, this refers to colorful (some might say, fantastical), additional ferrules and other ornamentation given as an extra touch to some of Ardor’s pipes. In this instance, this curiously Danish pear Dublin also features a much more Italian blue acrylic ferrule and stem, along with a sterling silver faux spigot, both of which complement the bowl’s blonde hue wonderfully.

The condition is great. Minor inner rim darkening, but clearly well looked after.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 1.01 / 25.65mm

Bowl Depth: 1.86″ / 47.24mm

Weight: 3.8oz / 108g