Radice: Rind Devil Anse Tobacco Pipe

Though the historical provenance of the Devil Anse is debatable, as there are no factual reports of the eponymous Hatfield clan patriarch ever smoking a pipe, Kevin Costner's portrayal of the (in)famous West Virginian in the History Channel drama Hatfields & McCoys popularized the shape. Something of an abbreviated Belge, the Devil Anse provides a comfortable smoking posture, which this example from Radice showcases well. The bowl here is a bit more Brandy-like than we usually see from the shape, with a broad base and a tapering rise to the rim that coincides with its dynamic forward cant. A sleek shank tapers out of a wide transition and meets a similarly tapering stem whose dark hues complement the stummel's dark rustication, with contrast offered by the bowl's smooth, light rim.

Luigi Radice was born in 1939 and began his career working with briar in 1961, finding employment at the venerable Castello workshop. While working for the now legendary brand, Luigi met Giuseppe Ascorti, and the two left together in 1968 to found Caminetto, where he stayed for 12 years, before departing to establish Radice in 1980. With help from his son, Gianluca, and his father, Paolo, Luigi began producing pipes in a striking neoclassical style which quickly amassed acclaim from enthusiasts of such stylized works. Luigi was later joined by his other son, Marzio, and the family-run workshop has since become known not just for their unique take on the neoclassical style of pipe making, but their singular accenting and finishing techniques.