Italian Estates: Posella Smooth Volcano (****) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Posella's mainly neoclassical shaping style lends itself well to crafting pieces such as this Volcano, a pipe whose bowl-forward visual weight is immediately apparent. The shank and stem here are positively gracile in comparison to the bowl, and this immediate disparity in presence draws the eye to the bowl readily. The transition is wide but extremely shallow, and it gives way to a remarkably brief shank that tapers immediately into a sleek, saddle stem of black acrylic that takes on a demure downturn for a comfortable smoking posture. The bowl's presence is undeniable, and it stands atop a broad, expansive base whose firm edges bolster its walls and define its slightly rectangular build. The walls taper to the rim and maintain a hearty thickness as they do, insulating a respectable chamber and offering an imposing presence in hand. Dressed in a rich, warm, auburn-hued stain, the stummel here showcases lovely grain throughout, with flame wrapping the bowl while a huge sea of birdseye swirls across the base.