Italian Estates: Baldo Baldi Smooth Dublin Tobacco Pipe

The late artisan Baldo Baldi had a background in architecture that gave him a keen eye for carving pipes. Incidentally, it was during his architectural studies that Baldi took up pipe smoking, although he struggled to find an affordable smoker that suited his needs. Taking matters into his own hands (literally), Baldo tapped into his artistic instincts and architectural knowledge and began crafting his own pipes. From the beginning, his pipes showed great promise, and it wouldn't be long until local tobacconists realized this and started placing orders with him. Baldi continued to carve pipes all throughout his schooling, and even balanced pipe making and architecture for several years after his graduation before turning to pipe making full-time. As an architect, Baldi understood better than most the importance of high-quality materials, which is why he only utilized briar that had been aged for at least twenty years — a practice that gave his pipes exceptional smoking qualities. Allowing the briar to mature also made it easier to carve, and led to masterfully crafted pieces like the Dublin pictured here.

The crisp, angular cheeking at the transition of this Dublin lends the piece a slightly geometric aesthetic, as does the set of ridgelines that frame the pipe's shank. Offsetting some of this offering's angularity is the bowl's full, curvaceous fore, and the shank-and-stem arrangement's subtly flowing curvature in profile. Altogether, this piece showcases a fascinating combination of shaping cues, and it all comes dressed in a warm, earthy stain and a silky smooth finish.