Claudio Cavicchi: Smooth Rhodesian (CCC) Tobacco Pipe

Sleek, straight pieces like this Rhodesian might not be among the first profiles to come to mind when one thinks of Claudio Cavicchi's work, but his skill in rendering this deceptively simple classic can't be understated. Claudio's Rhodesian renditions can range from the compact to the lengthy, but are almost universally possessed of broad, expansive rims, such as this piece. A lengthy stretch of round shank is paired to an abbreviated saddle stem, the shank separated by twin bands of black acrylic and the combination itself reminiscent of the Lovat. Here the Italian artisan has paired that configuration with a proudly poised, slightly canted bowl that commands much of the piece's visual weight, flaring to a pair of beadlines before tapering to the rim. I certainly have no problem with that as the bowl features a mesmerizing display of excellent grain, highlighted in one of Cavicchi's gorgeous honey-blonde stains, the grain here earning the piece three "C" stamps out of five.