Italian Estates: Castello Collection Fiammata Bent Dublin (KK) (2009) Tobacco Pipe

The name Castello, "castle" in Italian, is meant to evoke an aura of pleasant fantasy. Founded by Carlo Scotti in 1947, Castello became a trendsetting marque, being among the first Italian brands to market luxury, hand-made pipes and helping to set the bowl-centric and whimsical standards typical of Italian neoclassicism. This bent Dublin from Castello is a whimsically fun take on the classic shape. Dense rays of flame grain lead the eye from a stately heel and through the bowl's wide flare toward a thick rim. Viewing the pipe from an aerial perspective, one can see that the bowl has an ellipticity reminiscent of an Opera, with a width that is significantly shorter than the length. The thick shank grows out of a thick and acute transition, forming a gentle taper as it lifts airlily into the stem, which continues the taper into the demurely bent bit. For the outstanding flame grain gracing the stummel — highlighted by Castello's smooth Collection finish — this pipe has been bestowed the designation of "Fiammata."