CAO Magnum Floral Dublin Estate Block Meerschaum Pipe & Fitted Case, Turkish Estates

Description

Founded in 1964 by Turkish engineer Cano A. Ozgener, CAO was one of the most renowned importers of meerschaum pipes in the last half-century, thanks in no small part to their close affiliation with master carvers such as Ismet Bekler. Emerging out of Ozgener’s own dissatisfaction with the quality of Turkish-made meerschaum pipes of the time, Ozgener began by applying his engineering background in modifying these pipes to improve their overall construction. Upon seeing how well these modified meerschaums were received by local tobacconists, Ozgener decided to work with Turkish meerschaum carvers in the production of their pipes, leading to the creation of the immensely popular CAO Meerschaum brand. At the end of the 2000s CAO was acquired by Scadinavian Tobacco Group, and has since ceased its involvement in meerschaum pipes.

I’m a great admirer of Cano Ozgener, and the story of his entry into the world of meerschaum was a significant inspiration for the creation of our own MBSD Meerschaum series – but that’s a story for another day. The pipe is what’s important here, and this particular CAO is a great example of what made the make so coveted among pipe-smokers. It is a well constructed, impressively large piece, with intricate, baroque floral carvings that extend from its bowl right to the tip of its shank.

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening and some handling marks, but nothing major.

 

Details:

Length: 7.6″ / 193.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 2.28″ / 57.91mm

Weight: 2.7oz / 78g