Savinelli: Churchwarden Black Rusticated (313) Tobacco Pipe

Savinelli's "313" is a traditional Prince shape, somewhat smaller than the "315 KS," with a low, squashed-Tomato form, marked by a broad waistline and low center of gravity. The shank rises from the transition at a slight angle, balanced out by the subtle curve of the bent mouthpiece — all in accordance with the expectations of a classic Prince, but in the bold Italian style of the famous workshop and the long posture of a typical Churchwarden.

While Savinelli's Qandale series offers a number of shapes in Churchwarden configuration, marked by an Old-World aesthetic, the Italian marque also presents versions of more traditional, minimalist style. The Churchwarden design hearkens back to the long, willowy, clay "tavern pipes" of yesteryear, marked by especially long stems. Myth shrouds the name's origin, with stories speculating that churchwardens smoked these longer pipes so as to keep smoke from their eyes while keeping watch over unlocked churches. Others suggest that churchwardens used the longer stems to hang pipe bowls out a window while they smoked during church services. Regardless, the elongated stem promotes a comfortable smoking posture well suited to peaceful, relaxing smoking sessions, and this particular piece wears an ebony-stained rustication for intriguing texture in hand and a classy presentation.