Mastro De Paja Unica Smooth Dublin 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.

Though Mastro de Paja’s pipes are all hand made, their “Unica” pipes are, as the name implies, more unique offerings from the Italian workshop. This one is a fascinating and highly artistic piece, combining a wide, straight grain Dublin bowl with a paneled, briar shank extension that affords the pipe a significant amount of length, while also making it extraordinarily easy to clean. How fascinating.

The condition is great. I only note some minor, inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.92 / 23.36mm

Bowl Depth: 1.72″ / 43.68mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g