Paolo Becker Rusticated Zulu Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

The Becker family is one of Italy’s most renowned pipe-making lineages. Beginning with the painter, sculptor, and WW2 British intelligence officer Fritz Becker, the Becker name became synonymous with Italian high-quality pipes after Fritz was discovered by Giorgio Musico, a pipe-maker himself, and owner of a popular pipe shop in Rome. Both Fritz and Giorgio had sons, Paolo Becker and Massimo Musico who learned pipe-making from their fathers and would go on to collaborate in making the famous Becker & Musico pipes, before parting to return to making Becker pipes and Musico pipes once more. Paolo passed away in 2014, but his son, Federico continues to make Becker pipes, to continued acclaim.

Rustication, particularly pebble-dash rustication, is a great Italian tradition, and it is perhaps Italy more than anywhere else in the world where high-grade pipes often wear rusticated finishes. Castello, Caminetto, Ascorti, Radice, Ardor, and Ser Jacopo, to give just a few examples, are all high-grade makes that include rusticated finishes in their output. So, it can be quite difficult for an Italian pipe-maker to create such a finish and for it to stand out among the others. Yet this is exactly what the Becker family managed to do. Perhaps it is partly the contrast stain they use, and perhaps it is partly the frequent pairing of rusticated bowls and smooth, burgundy rims, that accounts for just how enjoyable these pipes are to look at, and for why they are so coveted. Whatever the reason, the Beckers’ achievement here is certainly impressive. Judging by the stamping and finish on this one, I’d estimate it to have been made by Fritz and Paolo Becker, or Paolo working solo, prior to Paolo joining up with the Musico family to produce Becker & Musico pipes.

-J.M.

 The condition is great. Some very minor wear to the rim.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.78″ / 45.21mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g