Triade Bent Dublin with Silver (YYY) (1) (Titania) Tobacco Pipe

Sicilian brothers Elio and Guido Rinaldo moved to Pesaro and started working with Mastro de Paja in the mid-1970s, founding their own titular brand in 1987. They produce about 1,500 pipes a year using briar from Liguria in northwestern Italy, and grade them from one to four Y's, or the highest grade, Fiamatta, denoting excellent flame grain.

This Titania-sized bent Dublin from Rinaldo is graded YYY for the fine ring grain that decorates the walls of the bowl and the attractive birdseye that dots the underside of the stummel and rim of the bowl. With a smooth finish and light reddish-walnut stain, it's easy to appreciate the appearance of the grain as it stretches to include the surface of the brief, upturned shank, which connects with a silver accent ring that serves as the perfect interlude between the briar and the translucent, amber-colored acrylic stem that tapers and bends generously on its way back to the bit. Wonderfully crafted in both profile and coloring, it's a truly beautiful work that will easily fit in with any collection of Rinaldos or fine Italian craftsmanship at large.