Italian Estates: Castello 'Castello' Bent Dublin (GG) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello's commitment to handcrafting high-quality pipes helped elevate the reputation of Italian pipes to luxury status. Furthermore, Castello's approach to shaping helped cultivate the bowl-centric and whimsical Italian neoclassic aesthetic. Castello's "G" stamped pipes denote those of a larger disposition than some of the Italian workshop's other pieces, sometimes being bigger only by a fairly small margin. These stamps can stack as well, with the more Gs received, the larger the pipe. Stamped twice with the designation, this bent Dublin offers plenty of substance in hand and a robust, angular look that centers much of the visual weight on the heel. This heel supports the bowl as it grows thick, flaring walls that expand out to an undulating rim, its quavering line drawing the eye even more readily to the fore. A fairly tight transition gives way to a thick, tapering shank and similarly tapering stem of black acrylic that arc away out back and poise this pipe for comfortable smoking. Dressed in Castello's eponymous smooth finish, the stummel wears a warm, light stain that reveals handsome grain throughout.