Italian Estates: Ascorti Smooth Bent Rhodesian (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Ascorti is one of the most storied names in Italian pipe making. In 1959, Giuseppe Ascorti began working for Castello and then left to found his own workshop in 1969. Alongside Luigi Radice, Giuseppe founded Caminetto, where his son Roberto was first introduced to pipes. In 1980, Roberto was ready to get into pipe making as a profession, but the Caminetto workshop was full, so Roberto founded his own workshop and named it Ascorti. Soon after, Caminetto closed and Giuseppe came to work with Roberto at Ascorti, propelling the name to prominence. Ascorti pipes are best known for their bold proportions, handmade acrylic stems, and excellent smoking qualities. This bent Rhodesian by Ascorti boasts a tall, full-bodied bowl that stands at the fore of an upturned shank and a steeply curved sadadle stem. The high-kicking shank-and-stem arrangement encourages a comfortable smoking posture and lends a pronounced fluidity to the shape's profile. Dressing this piece is a warm smooth finish that highlights healthy grain throughout the stummel.