Gigi Millennium Smooth Bent Brandy w/ Horn Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Gigi pipes occupy an interesting position in the history of Italian pipe-making. The story begins with the founding of Sociedade Rovera, a pipe-making company in Varese, Italy, by the Rovera family. As members of the Rovera family left to start their own ventures, the dynasty associated with the name would be split into several companies; Angelo Rovera created Ardor with his son Dorelio; Federico created Fe.Ro; Massimilliano created Mario Rovera; Fiorenzo created Gardenesa; and Giorgio created Giorgio Rovera, along with partners Angelo and Adele Bianchi. In 1964, Luigi Crugnola, nephew of the Bianchis, took over the Giorgio Rovera make and changed its name to his own – Gigi.

Were it not for the strawberry-blonde stain, I might have mistaken this Gigi for something out of Bjarne Nielsen’s workshop. The distinctly full, almost egg-like brandy bowl, coupled with a gentle bend, looks more Danish than Italian to me. But these Gigi pipes never cease to surprise me. I’m not familiar with their Millennium series, but from the looks of the excellent bird’s-eye grain patterns and horn shank extension on this one, I would have to wonder if it marked a special occasion – such as, of course, the turn of the 21st century. As there’s no shape code either, which most of the Gigi pipes I’ve handled had, I’m also inclined to think this one would appropriately be termed handmade.

This Gigi is also unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. It is chambered for 9mm filters as standard, but comes with its original adapter for use without filters.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.51″ / 38.35mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g