Italian Estates: Claudio Cavicchi Smooth Bent Egg (CCCC) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Claudio Cavicchi is truly a master of his craft, and his ability to coax the best possible grain out of every piece of briar will always astound me. His over 50 years of experience ensures that his pipes are not only beautiful, but expertly shaped and precisely drilled, and all of these are the case with this bent Egg. Thick, hearty, and supple, this piece from the Italian carver is a robust iteration of the timeless shape, packing a great deal of substance into a fairly compact package. There's an overt plumpness about this pipe that's evident at first glance, with most of this plumpness centered at the bowl, though that's no surprise given the Egg's iconically rounded bowl structure. Said bowl stands on a sweeping heel, urging it forward dynamically as the walls flare subtly to a mid-set waist before tapering to the rim and completing the profile's namesake shaping. A wide transition pairs this bowl to a short, thick shank that lifts slightly and meets a sleekly tapering stem of arcing black acrylic, creating a comfortable smoking posture. Dressed in one of Cavicchi's iconic honey-blonde stains, this pipe has earned the carver's CCCC-grade, and it showcases a wealth of handsome grain, with dense bands of flame wrapping the bowl.