Claudio Cavicchi: Smooth Barrel with Silver (CCC) Tobacco Pipe

A rare shape from Claudio Cavicchi, this Barrel is only one of a very few such designs we've seen from him, making this a most welcome presentation. The tall bowl boasts stout proportions, with a subtle taper seen above the high-set transition, along with a flattened heel, enabling it to sit sturdily. The deep bend and high-kicking shank-and-stem arrangement offer a proportional balance in addition to promoting a comfortable smoking posture and rather sleek profile. The Italian artisan has dressed this in one of his light stains, earning three "C" stamps for its quality shaping and grain orientation, with tiny clusters of birdseye enshrouding either flank, while cross grain highlights the fore and aft. Further commending this intriguing pipe is a generous band of silver, the Barrel shape and infrequent use of the gleaming adornment contributing to the unusual character of this piece.