Jacono: Rook Bent Brandy Tobacco Pipe

Jacono was formed in 1981 by Tonino Jacono, his father-in-law, and his brother-in-law. The expert execution of the shaping and grain placement in this bent Brandy demonstrate why Jacono has become such a revered workshop. The marque takes a unique approach to the "bent" aspect of this pipe that evokes a whimsicality typical of the neoclassic Italian style. Upon emerging from the tall, tight-knit transition, the shank makes a sharp upward turn that, if it were continued normally, might resemble the deep bend of an Oom Paul. Rather than continuing normally, however, the shank swiftly swerves at a nearly right angle until it runs almost parallel to the rim before joining to an acrylic saddle stem. This idiosyncratic treatment of the pipe's bend condenses the length of the shank into a smaller area, making it appear shorter in a way that emphasizes the size of the bowl. Throughout the shank's twists and turns, the grain maintains consistency in orientation, with birdseye flowing across the top and bottom and flame grain wavering from top to bottom along the flanks. A pool of whirling birdseye churns across the wide heel, bubbling up around the bowl's characteristically plump waist, and melding into thick flame grain that guides the eye through the bowl's taper to the rim. This bent Brandy, based on a chess-themed grading system, is designated as "Rook." Its stummel wears a light-stained smooth finish whose simplicity adds an elegant touch to the pipe's playful shape.