Mastro de Paja Ciocco S 2C Bent Dublin, Smooth/Rusticated, Italian Briar, Custom Stem

Welcome to Pipe Collectors Encyclopedia, your premier destination for museum-quality estate pipes with comprehensive historical and technical documentation. This is a vintage Mastro de Paja Ciocco S 2C, a large bent Dublin handmade in Pesaro, Italy. The nomenclature reads 'Mastro de Paja Fatta a Mano Ciocco S 2C Ruber Media Italy' with the maker's iconic sun logo stamp. The S 2C grade indicates superior briar selection and exceptional smooth finish with characteristic reddish-orange tones typical of high-grade Italian Mediterranean briar from this maker's output era. Mastro de Paja was founded in Pesaro, Italy, and became recognized for handmade artisanal pipes featuring distinctive grading systems denoted by grade stamps (S, 2C, 3C representing progressive quality levels). The brand's sun logo serves as their quality hallmark. The Ciocco line represents their bent Dublin offerings, crafted for collectors seeking substantial, comfortable smoking pipes with premium grain expression. GRADING AND MARKS: - Stamped: 'Mastro de Paja Fatta a Mano Ciocco S 2C Ruber Media Italy' - Sun logo stamp present (quality/grade indicator) - Metal shank band: appears silver-colored, faint unreadable stamp, untested for fineness (to be confirmed) - Finish grade: S 2C (smooth, reddish-orange tone, superior briar) - Country of origin: Italy SHAPE ANALYSIS: Bent Dublin with generous, deep chamber. Bowl is predominantly smooth with exceptional vertical birdseye and flame grain patterns. Partial rustication appears along one side of bottom edge, providing textural contrast while premium smooth surfaces dominate. Shank features decorative metal band near connection point. BRIAR AND FINISH: Mediterranean briar displaying vibrant vertical grain structure with pronounced birdseye and flame figuring. Predominantly smooth polish with selective rustication on lower bowl edge. Reddish-orange undertones characteristic of S 2C grade designation. Natural grain expression enhanced by contrast between polished and rusticated surfaces. CONDITION REPORT: Overall: Very Good to Excellent after restoration. Rim: clean, no major damage. Chamber: clear, no cake buildup. Bowl interior: sound. Stem: custom replacement, newly crafted to specification, light colored (possibly acrylic or resin). No fills or burn-through noted. Shank band intact. Pipe fully functional and ready for collection or active use. DIMENSIONS: - Overall length: to be confirmed - Bowl height: to be confirmed - Chamber diameter: to be confirmed - Chamber depth: to be confirmed - Weight: substantial, described as comfortable despite generous proportions - Stem bore: accepts 9mm filters - Stem profile: circular transition to saddle bit (approximately 10mm from end, variable on top), flares to wide fishtail mouthpiece Ships from Faridunhill archive with worldwide delivery and professional restoration documentation. This bent Dublin represents authentic Italian artisanal pipe craftsmanship with museum-quality grain expression. SKU: SKU-058