Rusticated Paneled Bent Dublin (R1) (B) (Maxima Maxima) Tobacco Pipe

Based in Pesaro, Italy, and founded in 1982, the Ser Jacopo workshop has a long-standing reputation for innovation when it comes to Italian pipe making. The founder of Ser Jacopo, Giancarlo Guidi, defied convention when he established his workshop and began producing pipes that diverged from the Anglo-French shape-chart classics, instead drawing inspiration from fine art, and even daily life on the island of Pesaro. Until his passing in 2012, Guidi experimented with playful proportions and bold finishes, paving the way for a new style of pipe making that's still beloved today. With its dramatic proportions and distinctive finish work, this paneled bent Dublin certainly exemplifies Ser Jacopo's signature style.

This Dublin's bowl flares broadly from a narrow heel to a stretched, octagonal rim that, were it not for the crisp paneling, would make for a rather lenticular cross section. The pronounced paneling, however, lends the form a more geometric, architectural aesthetic, and an eye-catching one at that. The shank and stem are also quite geometric; the rectangular shaping of the former continues seamlessly into the saddled shoulders of the latter. Adding further intrigue to the piece is a craggy rustication, which offers plenty of tactile detail for the hand to appreciate. Bearing two "Maxima" stamps, this is also quite a sizable offering, and is sure to fill the hand with plenty of hearty substance.