Smooth Brown Bent Apple (Three 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.

Gaudenzi uses Jellyfish to denote both the size and quality of his briars; as such, this three-Jellyfish bent Apple is a commendable offering all around. In terms of line, there's a pleasing sense of unity throughout the composition, which follows a sinuous, snaking curve from stem to rim. In terms of proportion, however, there is a great deal of contrast between the slender stem and the robust curves of the stummel, especially in profile. While the bowl appears rather broad in profile, its flanks actually remain quite tight-knit, lending the form a trim, oblong appearance when viewed from above. In contrast, the shank remains quite hearty from every angle, its width further emphasized by the slender, gently cinched saddle stem. The stummel showcases a wealth of attractive grain, with swirls of birdseye decorating the rim as well as the top and underside of the shank, while gorgeous flame grain fans out across the flanks. These beautiful grain patterns are emphasized by a smooth, deep walnut finish whose rich contrast and deep brown hue afford this pipe vivid detail and a sense of timeless elegance.