Sandblasted Bent Egg Tobacco Pipe

Angelo Del Prete owns a smoke shop in Pordenone, Italy, that has focused on the sale of artisanal pipes since 2014, but it wasn't until 2018 that Angelo began shaping briar blocks out of pure curiosity. He contacted Italian pipe makers to learn more about the craft, spending time learning from the likes of Massimiliano Rimensi and Davide Iafisco. Angelo made his pipes available for sale starting in 2020, and today averages an annual production of 50-60 pipes made with the influences of the Italian and Danish schools of pipe making.

Angelo gave this bent Egg a deeper sandblast on the top of the bowl than on the bottom, allowing for a fascinating contrast in textures across a small area of the briar. The rest of the stummel wears a shallower sandblast that allows for easier inspection and appreciation of the flame grain, which is well-complemented by the dark red stain. The muscular, round shank backing up the bowl kicks dramatically upward into a bent stem of tapered vulcanite. Angelo's choice to give this piece different levels of sandblast is fascinating, and his use of such a rich color on the stummel makes this piece all the more a prime target for collection.