Rossi: Vittoria (8811) Tobacco Pipe

Like Rossi's "8315" Prince, the "8811" displays a slightly angled transition and a downturned stem, making for a lithe, elegant profile. This piece, though, fits a tall Billiard bowl on the end in place of the Prince's squat, Apple-like form — this particular Billiard being more slender and svelte than many of the Italian marque's other iterations. It shares the same form as Savinelli's "811 KS" design and is one of Rossi's more streamlined pieces, full of sleek dynamism and offering a lightweight presence and classic shaping style overall.

Rossi's Vittoria line is a no-nonsense series that prioritizes timeless traditionalism and a conservative presentation that draws focus to this pipe's line and form. Marked by a dark stain and rugged rustication, the Vittoria offers just the right amount of texture in hand. It remains balanced between traditional Italian and English pipe making styles — the rustication calling to mind the dramatic, extra-craggy finishes often seen throughout Italian pipe making, but the lighter depth hewing closer to the stately English aesthetic — with the dark palette and grooved surface hiding any handling marks this piece might pick up over the years.