Directory of Italian Pipe Brands (2/2)

Directory of Italian Pipe Brands is a two-part reference page gathering, in alphabetical order, pipe brands founded in Italy or run by Italian makers; this second part covers eleven entries from Salmastro to Voyageur — for the ninety-one brands at the start of the alphabet, see the directory's first part. At this end of the list, the factory heritage of the Varese area, the solo work of Calabrian and Venetan workshops, and the sub-labels of larger companies stand side by side; a master making a hundred fifty pipes a year and a family firm with more than a century of history can meet under the same letter. Brands documented only by name are also kept in the directory for the sake of completeness. For the general framework of the country's handmade tradition, see the entry a short history of the Italian handmade pipe.

Brands

• Salmastro — A recent brand that emerged when Michele Mellone, working in the Monferrato area near Asti, began making pipes in 2004. Born in Trieste, Mellone came to pipes from graphic work, painting, and furniture design, which he still pursues; meeting Mimmo of the Romeo Pipe workshop is regarded as the decisive step at the outset. A Danish influence is clearly legible in his shape vocabulary. Annual production runs between 60 and 80 pipes; freehand pieces make up most of the output, and a portion use horn stems.

• Ser Dany — Only the brand name appears in the records; no detail is documented.

• Sociedade Rovera — The brand four Rovera brothers — Federico, Carlo, Cornelio, and Francesco — founded together in 1911. In the next generation the flag passed to Francesco's son Angelo Rovera, and Angelo together with his son Dorelio became the names behind Ardor pipes. For the family's other branch, see the entry on Rovera.

• Stella — This production, known by the name of Gianpaolo Stella, is distinguished by its material: terracotta is used instead of briar. The bowls are most often shaped as well-known figures from art and political history.

• Tagliabue — The brand known by the name of Lorenzo Tagliabue in Gallarate; it is counted as an interim name of the firm now known as Lorenzo. The town's original factory opened in 1910 under the name Tagliabue & Lana, and also made pipes for the North American firm Wally Frank under the Taglia & Lana label. From the Milan-based Tagliabue family's purchase of the business in 1946 until the final name change in 1969, the name Manufattura di Pipe Tagliabue was used. Its stamp is two concentric rings, ivory white on the outside and brown within.

• Trangoni — The brand of Fulvio Trangoni, born in Dueville in 1952. After twenty years as a navy diver, Trangoni turned to pipe making, learning the craft from Trieste master Fabris and joining the Vicenza Pipa Club. Working in a setup he built in his own garage, he turns out 150-200 pipes a year; nearly all are smooth-finished and fitted with methacrylate mouthpieces. The finest-crafted examples carry the word Collection, and grading is shown with anchor stamps that rise in rank with their number.

• Trinita' — An Italian pipe label Mauro Rota runs under his own name. Beyond the maker's name, no detail is on record.

• Vascello — Only the brand name appears in the records; no further information is documented.

• Verona — A sub-brand used under the Savinelli umbrella. Pipes of the same name made by Mauro Armellini for the Tinder Box chain are also known.

• Vincenzo Grenci — A maker whose workshop is in Brognaturo, in the province of Vibo Valentia, Calabria; he is the son of Domenico Grenci. Most of his work consists of large-bodied, smooth-finished pipes that follow the grain of the wood. The briar on his bench comes mostly from Calabrian stock of the 1980s and 1990s, with the occasional log left over from the 1970s also worked.

• Voyageur — Records indicate this brand's pipes appear in collections from the 1940s, with the latest examples dated to the 1960s. Its shape repertoire is largely made up of classic molds; the founding year, founder, and location are undocumented.