Il Cerchio: Smooth Volcano with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Meaning "The Circle" in Italian, Il Cerchio pipes are handmade by Angelo Del Prete, who began crafting pipes in 2018 to broaden the selection of briars he offered at his own tobacco shop. He sought mentorship from Massimiliano Rimensi and Davide Iafisco, and began to cultivate an intimate understanding of the nuances of pipe making. He's since developed a distinctive style of his own, drawing on the work of his aforementioned tutors as well as the Danish school of design. His portfolio runs the gamut from old-school Anglo-French classics to more eclectic designs, with this Volcano being a fine example of the latter.

This piece boasts a broad bowl that tapers from its wide, ridgeline-wrapped heel to its taut rim. As it tapers, the bowl takes on a rounded base that conforms naturally to the hand. The bowl's crisp ridgeline is orientated high at the shape's fore, lending a pronounced curvature to the heel and a subtle dynamism to the overall shape. The bowl is paired to an upturned shank that joins a bulbous ferrule of horn, which, too, joins a demurely curved mouthpiece of jet-black vulcanite. The arced stem promotes a comfortable smoking posture, while the horn mount provides a touch of vibrant color to the pipe's otherwise muted palette. An auburn smooth finish dresses the stummel and highlights handsome grain across the briar's surface.