Italian Estates: Ardor Urano Rhodesian with Silver (DR) Tobacco Pipe

Though the Ardor pipes workshop was founded in 1974 by father-son team Angelo and Dorelio Rovera, the pipe making history of the family stretches back to 1911, with the founding of Sociedade Rovera in Varese, Italy. It was at here that Angelo began to carve pipes alongside his father and uncles, starting at the age of 13 in 1958, Ardor's debut into the pipe world marked by a high-standard of craftsmanship that's remained consistent for nearly five decades. Though Angelo passed away in 1999, Ardor is now run by Dorelio, alongside both Damiano and Dimitri, the next generation of Roveras. Ardor's pipes are often typified by their strikingly neoclassical proportions, with each piece offering greatly enhanced substance about the bowl and a reassuring presence in hand. A unique interpretation of the Rhodesian shape, this pipe showcases a Dublin-like build and the barest curvature about its shank-and-stem combination. Most of this curvature is actually centered on the stem itself, whose bit is arced down slightly and has been stylized to emphasize the presence of the button from the top. The junction to a trim, tapering shank is marked with a band of silver, adding a touch of elegant flair to the composition. Up front, the bowl stands atop a firm heel and boasts flaring walls which reach a high-set waist at a pair of crisp beadlines that additionally denote a taper to the flat rim. Dressed in the earthy Urano rustication, there's plenty of texture here to appreciate, all while the silver accent adds some rich contrast.