Italian Estates: Caminetto Rusticated Billiard (01/8/1/01) Tobacco Pipe

Caminetto, or "The Pipe with the Mustache" (La Pipa del Baffo in Italian), was founded in 1969 by two former Castello artisans: Guiseppe Ascorti and Luigi Radice. The pair's uniquely designed pipes were fundamental to the inception of the distinct Italian neoclassical style. The brand's unique and innovative style won them international renown, and it is widely considered to have been one of Italy's most respected pipe makers. The workshop disbanded in 1979, and Ascorti and Radice went on to find success in workshops under their own names. The brand was later revived in 2013 by Guiseppe's grandson, Tommaso "Tommi" Ascorti, who crafts each pipe by hand from stem to stummel. Caminetto pipes come in a wide array of shapes and finishes ranging from more reserved interpretations of traditional shapes to innovative designs such as their singular Freehands or the Quadrato line's unique reverse Calabashes. Their finishes include the rarely seen Nera smooth finish, the famous New Dear with its melted wax motif, and the iconic Business rustication, and the workshop's finest pieces are designated by the "Moustache" stamp. Regardless of the shape or finish, the whimsy and quality of Caminetto pipes delight novice and veteran collectors alike.