Il Cerchio: Smooth Nautilus with Gold-Plated Silver Tobacco Pipe

Meaning "The Circle" in Italian, Il Cerchio pipes are handmade by Angelo Del Prete, who began crafting pipes in 2018 to broaden the selection of briars he offered at his own tobacco shop. He sought mentorship from Massimiliano Rimensi and Davide Iafisco, and began to cultivate an intimate understanding of the nuances of pipe making. He's since developed a distinctive style of his own, drawing on the work of his aforementioned tutors as well as the Danish school of design. His portfolio runs the gamut from old-school Anglo-French classics to more eclectic designs, with this Nautilus being a fine example of the latter.

Like the Elephant's Foot, the Ballerina, and the Sphinx, the Nautilus shape was originated by Swedish artisan Bo Nordh, but has since become a staple among various carvers' portfolios. This particular iteration from Angelo leans into the shape's inherent organicism, and deftly captures the form's curling silhouette. Boasting a nearly seamless transition, the tall bowl tapers into the shank, which sweeps into the aft of the bowl. As the shank wraps toward the bowl, its leaves behind a pinprick of space that is accented with a chain of gold-plated silver. The silver's warm hues match the inlay along the mortise, which receives a push-style stem of jet-black vulcanite. Dressed in an auburn smooth finish, the stummel displays gorgeous cross grain across the briar's flanks, and stunning birdseye across the fore and aft.