Il Cerchio: Smooth Lovat with 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 Lovat being a fine example of the former.

About as traditional as they come, this Lovat boasts all of the form's characteristic features, including an upright Billiard bowl, a protracted round shank, and an abbreviated saddle stem. The shank and stem's clean, understated lines keep the shape sleek and streamlined in profile, allowing the design's elegant shaping and rich finish to take center stage. In a nod to Danish pipe making, the bowl tapers from its full heel to its taut rim, and as it does, it produces a low-set waistline that comforms naturally to the hand. A warm, affable smooth finish dresses the stummel and highlights impressive birdseye across the bowl's flanks, while an accent of silver adorns the junction and ties the composition together with a touch of flash.