Italian Estates: Aldo Velani Smooth Bulldog (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Made by Cesare Barontini in Livorno, Italy, Aldo Velani pipes are characterized by their distinctively Italian character, replete with muscular proportions and stylish shaping, as seen here in this Bulldog rendition. The bowl stands tall with an upright posture, its robust figure formed by smooth walls flaring from its firm heel toward a pair of crisp beadlines at the waist, which then mark a gradual taper toward the deeply chamfered rim, sure to aid in the loading of a favored blend. A thick diamond shank transitions from the bowl and meets an offset tapered stem of shimmering, ruby-hued acrylic, the pair replete with crisp lines. The stem's palette offers a rich complement to the stummel, which is dressed in a warm, auburn stain that highlights windswept vertical grain across both flanks.