Italian Estates: Becker Smooth Pot with Boxwood (Two Hearts) Tobacco Pipe

One of the most distinctive names in all of Italian pipe making, Becker Pipes was founded by Fritz Becker in 1974 with his son Paolo. Fritz unfortunately passed away in 1991, and Paolo too in 2014, though the Becker workshop continues, now in their third generation with Federico Becker, Paolo's son. Quite different from the Italian neoclassical style, or English, or most other schools of design for that matter, Becker pipes are uniquely their own, with a focus on svelte proportions, clean lines, and practical shaping, all of which are reflected in this Pot. This pipe is a slight departure from Federico's more angular design style, with the bowl displaying a round, flattened heel rather than his signature sharply pointed version, which is more commonly seen. The bowl is low-lying and stocky but not disproportionately so, with a rounded, sloping rim. The svelte shank-and-stem arrangement extends downward ever-so-slightly from the bowl, touching down at the shank end for an almost Poker-like profile. The stummel is dressed in a smooth, honey-blonde finish of natural, virgin briar, highlighting lovely windswept wisps of grain, while the jet-black stem is accented by twin, pale rings of boxwood at its base. This pipe is an excellent example of the Italian artisan's shaping instincts and is a perfect size for pocket carry.