Ardor: Urano Fantasy Freehand with Silver Tobacco Pipe

Though the Ardor pipes workshop was founded in 1974 by father-son team Angelo and Dorelio Rovera, the pipe-making history of the family stretches back to 1911, with the founding of Sociedade Rovera in Varese, Italy. It was here that Angelo began to carve pipes alongside his father and uncles, starting at the age of 13 in 1958, Ardor's debut into the pipe world marked by a high standard of craftsmanship that's remained consistent for nearly five decades. Though Angelo passed away in 1999, Ardor is now run by Dorelio, alongside both Damiano and Dimitri, the next generation of Roveras. Ardor's pipes are often typified by their strikingly neoclassical proportions, with each piece offering greatly enhanced substance about the bowl and a reassuring presence in hand. Part of Ardor's Fantasy line, the junction of this Freehand is emblematic of the series' unique character, with the shank flaring gently to meet a band of multicolored acrylic paired to a matching stem with a silver-wrapped base. A wide transition gives way to a slightly uplifted shank that reaches out to the aforementioned junction, the stem a sleek taper with a demure downturn that lends this pipe a comfortable smoking posture. Up front, a firm heel supports the bowl, its slightly spurred look giving way to flaring walls that expand to a mid-set waist marked by a subtle ridge, where they then taper swiftly to the rim in Rhodesian-like fashion. Dressed in the craggy rustication of the Urano series, this pipe showcases an expressive look and plenty of playful charm to appreciate.