Mastro de Paja 1B Sandblasted Canadian Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Like Castello, Mastro de Paja holds a special place in the world of Italian high-grade pipe workshops. Founded in 1972 by Giancarlo Guidi, the MdP team was soon joined by Giannino Spadoni and Bruto Sordini with the Guidi and Spadoni at the helm of the company until 1981. Guidi then left with Sordini to found Ser Jacopo, and Sordini would later leave Ser Jacopo to found Don Carlos. Spadoni, on the other hand, stayed at MdP until he also left, after which he founded Fiamma di Re. Today, Mastro de Paja is guided by Alberto Montini, with the workshop being known for both the manufacture of some of Italy’s most admired pipes, and for having launched the careers of some of its most respected artisans.

Deep, ring grain sandblasts are not something as readily associated with the great Italian makes as with their English and American counterparts, yet the former are more than capable of pulling them off, as this Mastro de Paja shows. In my experience, the Italian sandblasts tend to be lighter and more restrained, but this one looks to have embraced the demand for something craggier and more tactile. It’s a great look, and juxtaposes nicely with the elegance of the traditional Canadian shape, along with the classic, beveled rim of mid-century Anglo-French briars. After talking with the very helpful Mastro de Paja team, I was able to date this one to around 1981-1995.

The condition is fair. There’s certainly some rim darkening, and some light finish fading, but the pipe nevertheless still looks great.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 160.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g