English Estates: Astley Smooth Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Astley's was a famous tobacconist that catered to the tastes of London's pipes smokers and sourced its private line of pipes from various English marques and workshops. No single maker can be definitively tied to the Astley's name, but the pipes they offered are held in high regard by a great number of discerning collectors. This Billiard was one of the pipes that was sold under the Astley's name, and it's a rather striking take on the classic shape-chart standard. Stout and muscular, this piece features a pert, upright bowl that's set to a more subdued shank and a softly tapered stem. It's all dressed in a deep, rich, smooth finish that highlights a fine display of grain about the bowl.