Talamona L'Artigiano Bent Billiard 109
- Overall Length: 137mm
- Overall Height: 65mm
- Bowl Height: 47mm
- Bowl Width: 39mm
- Bore: 20mm
- Filter: None
- Weight: 46g
- Pipe Bag Included
Talamona L'Artigiano Bent Billiard 109
Now here's an interesting bit of Italian pipe-making. The bowl is traditional enough, a nicely rounded bent billiard in warm, golden briar, but whoever chose that mouthpiece was clearly feeling adventurous.
It's a creamy ivory colour with wisps of blue running through it, rather like ink dropped into milk. An unusual choice, certainly, but it works remarkably well against the honey-coloured wood.
The bowl itself deserves a look. There's some attractive grain around the heel, a pleasing fullness to the shape, and a smooth polish that lets the briar speak for itself. The bend is gentle rather than exaggerated, giving the pipe a comfortable-looking profile.
Talamona has been making a name for itself in Italian pipe circles since the 1970s, originally under Cesare Talamona and latterly under Paolo Croci. The Italians have always been rather good at taking an established shape and giving it a little personality.
This 109 is a case in point. A traditional billiard wearing a rather splendid pair of blue suede shoes.
