Italian Estates: Mastro de Paja Sandblasted Billiard (1B) (1981) Tobacco Pipe

This Billiard is a hearty, classic take on the timeless shape, presenting with a wide transition that gives way to a sleek, subtly tapering shank. The shank meets a sleek saddle stem of black acrylic, keeping the aft side of this pipe slender and aerodynamic, placing further emphasis on the bowl. Said bowl stands on a firm heel and boasts a mid-set waistline that supports softly tapering walls as they reach to the tall rim. Dressed in a crisp sandblast and a dark, earthy stain, the stummel showcases plenty of handsome grain to appreciate.

Mastro de Paja was founded in 1972 by Giancarlo Guidi, seeking to turn his hobby of pipe carving into a career. Soon thereafter, he was joined by Giannino Spadoni, a man with experience selling pipes, and the initial iteration of Mastro de Paja was complete. The pipes that the pair produced were met with widespread acclaim for their high-quality carving and materials, though the professional relationship between Guidi and Spadoni grew strained. In 1981, Guidi left the team and founded Ser Jacopo a year later, while Mastro de Paja fell on hard times and ultimately averted disaster after being purchased by Terenzio Cecchini. After Spadoni left soon afterward, the responsibility of the workshop's production and management was passed on to Alberto Montini, who successfully adjusted their practices to heighten quality and expand distribution.