Ser Jacopo: Rusticated Billiard (R1) (C) (Maxima Maxima Maxima) Tobacco Pipe

Ser Jacopo was founded in the 1980s by legendary pipe maker Giancarlo Guidi. The workshop cultivated their signature Pesaro style, which delights in dramatic flourishes and whimsical stylings, even more so than the already playful Italian tradition. Sadly, Guidi passed away in 2012, but his workshop carries on his legacy. This Billiard by Ser Jacopo is emblazoned with three "Maxima" stamps, an indicator of its nearly half-a-pound of heft. Out front, the bowl instantly catches the eye with its rearward cant, its thick, cylindrical walls rising at a dramatic angle to the wide rim. Furthermore, the bowl's stance places emphasis on the pronounced heel at the fore, giving the composition a sleek, low-slung flow from heel to bit. Additionally, the underside of the pipe is flattened, making this substantial briar a resolute Sitter. Moreover, the stummel is dressed in Ser Jacopo's signature rustication, creating a craggy, dark-hued surface that offers a palpable contrast with the blonde smooth finish on the rim, underside, and shank end.