Italian Estates: Luigi Viprati Smooth Bent Billiard (One Clover) Tobacco Pipe

This bent Billiard from Luigi Viprati is a playful pipe that defies expectations. Initially, the shank looks to be quite short compared to the bowl and especially the stem. However, this is deceiving, as the aft has been adorned with a slim band of amber-hue followed by a black acrylic cap on the face that matches the appearance of the stem, meaning that the shank is longer than it first appears. Furthermore, the shank face is rather thin, and the base of the demurely bent tapered stem fits a slight ways into it, evoking the appearance of a saddle stem. Following ridges of cross grain from the top of the shank's aft through the wide transition and climb the cylindrical wall of the bowl takes us to a beveled rim. Across the modest chamber, at the fore of the rim, the cross grain rushes down the wall to sweep around a distinct heel and through the bottom of the shank to arrive back at the amber-colored accent. The stummel wears a warm chestnut stain that highlights gorgeous birdseye on its flanks.