Il Duca: Sandblasted Acorn (B) Tobacco Pipe

Massimiliano Rimensi of Ferrara, Italy, creates pipes under the name Il Duca in honor of the historical rulers of his native city. He draws inspiration from Danish and Italian pipe making to create a unique style all his own. This Acorn Sitter is a fine example of Rimensi's more eccentric side. The bowl features a bulbous, domed rim that tapers suddenly down to a broad, flat foot that comprises the heel and sits beneath the transition, allowing the pipe to sit comfortably upright. A slim round shank arches gracefully upward from the transition, flaring out into a section of rugged plateau fitted with a lithely bent vulcanite stem. The stummel is dressed in a stunning contrast stain, pairing a vibrant orange with streaks of inky black that provide a rich, eye-catching palette that's sure to hold one's attention. The sandblasted finish reveals a wealth of texture and incredible grain, further completed by the stain and shaping to create a pipe with a distinctly organic and natural appeal.