Smooth Light Bent Bulldog (Two Jellyfish) Tobacco Pipe

Italian artisan Simone Gaudenzi combined his two great loves, pipes and the sea, when conceptualizing his brand, Valbruna. Before becoming an independent artisan, Gaudenzi worked under the mentorship of Giancarlo Guidi at the famed Ser Jacopo workshop. During this time, he developed a keen eye for design and a deep appreciation for the whimsical Pesaro style. Now the founder of his own brand, his affinity for pipes, the sea, and the Pesaro carving style are all readily evident in every pipe he produces. Moreover, his grading system heavily centers around aquatic themes; even "Valbruna" is a reference to the legendary underwater city of the same name.

This bent Bulldog from Valbruna is both trim and sinuous, featuring a tall, narrow rendering of the classic Bulldog bowl and a swiftly upturned shank with traditional diamond shaping. The shank is met by a deeply bent saddle stem of acrylic; together, they promote a relaxed posture while puffing. The grain on this pipe is quite handsome, with dense flame grain climbing the walls of the bowl, stopping at the single beadline accentuating its tall waistline, from which point fetching curlicues of birdseye take over. More attractive grain can be found in alternating patterns along the panels of the shank, all dressed in a light, smooth finish that's nothing short of charming.