Caminetto: ***Smooth Bent Billiard (05) (AR) Tobacco Pipe

Well on the more reserved end for Caminetto in terms of shaping and finishing, I'd have expected a bent Billiard like this to have come from an English marque. That said, the Italian workshop is known to push boundaries and consistently delivers a wide range of shapes in a diverse array of finishes and accenting materials. The bowl here is around a Group 3 in terms of size, contains a respectably deep chamber inside, and subtly tapers from the round base up toward the rim. However, I must admit my favorite aspect here is the rich Bruyere-esque stain that dresses the stummel, hearkening back to the pipes produced by vintage English and French marques back in the day. A cumberland shank accent and mouthpiece further accentuate the piece's traditional aesthetic and are fairly uncommon elements within Italian pipemaking, making this example an excellent choice for any collection.