Il Duca: Sandblasted Acorn with Masur Birch (B) Tobacco Pipe

Max Rimensi, or Il Duca, has been growing his craftsmanship since the early 1990s, starting at the young age of 14. The name Il Duca is inspired by the historical rulers of his native city, Ferrara, Italy. Il Duca style exudes elegance and often favors slender shapes, varying from traditional Anglo-French designs to unconventional Freehands. Measuring exactly seven inches in length, this Acorn by Il Duca retains lightweight proportions despite its elongated build. The bowl stands on a lifted heel and features a supple, protruding waistline that offers plenty of substance for the fingers to embrace. From a wide transition, a pencil-thin shank emerges and flares out towards the junction before meeting a masur birch accent ring that adds a nice diversity to the otherwise earthy color palette. Completing the profile is a tapering mouthpiece formed of jet-black vulcanite, its elongated build adding a nice balance to the overall form. The stummel showcases rippling growth rings around the bowl, highlighted by a warm sandblast that provides a wealth of tactile detail.