Savinelli Autograph 0 Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

It is probably fair to say that Savinelli is Italy’s most famous pipe brand. Founded in Milan in 1876 by Achille Savinelli, the brand has continuously offered high quality pipes for nearly 150 years. Though various Savinelli lines have come and gone over the years, the brand has always been notable for putting out classically styled pipes with a distinctly Italian twist.

Like the Charatan freehand workshop in mid-20th century England, or even like Tsuge’s Ikebana workshop in late-20th century and 21st century Japan, Savinelli has its own, special area of the company’s campus reserved for master artisans, where non-standard pipe shapes are carved using artisan techniques. Unlike their standard, machine-turned pipes, Savinelli’s Autographs are also graded, with ascending numbers for their quality. These numbers begin around the 3 or 4 mark (depending on the era), running all the way up to grade 9. Above grade 9, however, are the three grades that represent the pinnacle of the workshop’s output: grade 0, grade 00, and grade 000. This one is a rare, grade 0, an accolade which it will have undoubtedly earned thanks to its copious straight grain, along with its clean, semi-traditional rendition of the Oom Paul shape.

The condition is very good. Very slight inner rim darkening and a few small, superficial scratches around the bowl.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.96 / 24.38mm

Bowl Depth: 2.15″ / 54.61mm

Weight: 2.5oz / 72g