Mastro de Paja 1C + 1 Sun Sandblasted Lovat 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.

As I mentioned in a couple of other listings, Masto de Paja during the 1980-1995 period (where this one also comes from) seemed to have gone “against the grain” of their contemporaries in Italy, opting for sandblasts that were deep, craggy, and rugged, looking more like mid-century Dunhill Tanshells or Charatan Reliefs than your average Italian pipe. And this was certainly welcome, and the same can be said of this Mastro de Paja. The ring grain is exceptionally pronounced, which contrasts well with the classic, lightweight, Anglo-French Lovat design it accompanies.

The condition is good. Some wear to the rim, including a couple of spots of char that have brought the chamber slightly out of round, but nothing to lose sleep over.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g