Rossi by Savinelli: Vittoria (8122)

Rossi's "8122" bent Pot corresponds to Savinelli's "122" shape and combines muscularity and elegance for a striking design — the broad, robust bowl being paired to a lithe, bent shank-and-stem combination. In keeping with the marque's signature Italian neoclassic approach to shaping, Rossi has rendered the heel with firm, jutting disposition, while softening the shape's profile through the use of a gently downturned stem. Such a design cue gives the form a look that calls to mind the classic Prince shape in profile. The "8122" is nearly identical to the marque's "8121" bent Pot, but the primary difference between the two is that the "8122" here features a bowl with a more modest width, offering the shape's characteristically broad chamber but with a more compact presence.

Rossi's Vittoria line is a no-nonsense series that prioritizes timeless traditionalism and a conservative presentation that draws focus to this pipe's line and form. Marked by a dark stain and rugged rustication, the Vittoria offers just the right amount of texture in hand. It remains balanced between traditional Italian and English pipe making styles — the rustication calling to mind the dramatic, extra-craggy finishes often seen throughout Italian pipe making, but the lighter depth hewing closer to the stately English aesthetic — with the dark palette and grooved surface hiding any handling marks this piece might pick up over the years.