Italian Estates: Paolo Becker Smooth Freehand (Collection) (B) (Royal Flush) (2012) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

The Becker legacy in pipe-making spans three generations. Fritz Becker initially started the family workshop as a complete autodidact, passing on his skills to his son Paolo and his grandson Federico. The family has German heritage, are inspired by Danish shapes, and produce pipes in Italy, manifesting a signature style that is uniquely Becker.

This Freehand by Paolo Becker is adorned with the prestigious "Royal Flush" appellation: the highest grade for a Becker pipe. This hearty piece possesses a robust bowl, which features a broad, ovoid rim that is defined by two sharp points on the fore and aft. The crisp peak at the fore marks the start of a crisp ridgeline that wraps along the underside of the stummel, manifesting a well-defined profile on the left flank. In contrast, the aft begins a subtler ridge that highlights the seamless transition from the muscular bowl to the abbreviated shank. Furthermore, the left flank showcases an unbroken swath of mesmerizing birdseye, while the right flank displays sweeping cross grain that frames a small pocket of birdseye whorls. The stummel is dressed in a handsome walnut smooth finish, which is complemented by the cool hues of the cumberland tapered stem.