Not nearly as common in the states as many other Italian artisans, La Nuvole (the clouds) are made by the husband and wife team of Maurizio and Stefania Tambori. When I did catch a glimpse at some of their pipes they were usually too big or too "out there" for my taste.
Sniffing around Lepipe for too long changed that. Finally found one I liked the look of, and it's treating me well so far!
They have their own set of brand shapes, of which this is my favorite - the Orientale. A deeply bent, angular, tall bowled piece. This one is graded S3, which is their highest sandblast grade. Conventionally you'd assume that meant ring grain, but Mauri is an unconventional guy. Instead the fore of the pipe is a field of blasted birdseye, while the flanks wear horizontal streaks.
The stem is red brindle ebonite and it is cut well. It fits perfectly flush against the mortise and the button practically disappears between the teeth.
Even the included pipe "sock" is unique and high quality - a single pipe leather "roll-up".
Sniffing around Lepipe for too long changed that. Finally found one I liked the look of, and it's treating me well so far!
They have their own set of brand shapes, of which this is my favorite - the Orientale. A deeply bent, angular, tall bowled piece. This one is graded S3, which is their highest sandblast grade. Conventionally you'd assume that meant ring grain, but Mauri is an unconventional guy. Instead the fore of the pipe is a field of blasted birdseye, while the flanks wear horizontal streaks.
The stem is red brindle ebonite and it is cut well. It fits perfectly flush against the mortise and the button practically disappears between the teeth.
Even the included pipe "sock" is unique and high quality - a single pipe leather "roll-up".