Brebbia and Savinelli: Masterpieces of Italian Pipe Craftsmanship
Anyone delving into the history of the Italian pipe manufacturer Brebbia will inevitably encounter its shared roots with Achille Savinelli. In 1947, shortly after the end of World War II, Enea Buzzi, Achille Savinelli, three skilled craftsmen, and startup capital from Uncle Bernardo began building a pipe production company. However, their business visions often clashed, and by 1956, they parted ways. Savinelli opened his own workshop in Molina di Barasso.
From the MPB Logo to the Iconic Diamond: Brebbia Pipes
The early Brebbia pipes bore the “MPB logo” (Manifattura Pipe Brebbia), but the name garnered little enthusiasm. With the growing popularity of slow smoking competitions in the 1960s—first in Italy, then internationally—the decision was made to update the logo. Starting in 1968, the name “Brebbia”, combined with the now-famous diamond emblem, adorned their pipes.
Enea Buzzi and his team even formed their own slow-smoking team, achieving remarkable success in competitions. This contributed significantly to the Brebbia name’s fame. The company continued to grow, and in 1977, Enea’s son Luciano, armed with a fresh degree in architecture, joined the business.
How Brebbia Became an International Brand
Luciano gradually took on more responsibility and began traveling across Europe to expand the export business. He noticed that many pipe smokers increasingly viewed their pipes as stylish accessories that expressed personality, rather than just functional smoking tools. His first series, launched in 1979, was specifically tailored to the German market, where the 9-mm activated charcoal filter was becoming popular.
This series and others from the 1980s stood out for their slim, elegant designs, which maintained an attractive appearance despite the 9-mm drilling. These features significantly contributed to Brebbia's popularity in Germany.
Brebbia Today: Tradition Meets Italian Design
In 1992, Brebbia opened a large pipe museum, showcasing numerous exhibits from Enea Buzzi’s private collection. The museum is still accessible today by appointment. The production facilities remain among the most traditional in Italy. Brebbia stands for individual design and outstanding smoking quality. The geographic location of the workshop and the ideal storage conditions for briarwood aid in the reduction of tannic acids and resins. As a result, Brebbia pipes offer an exceptional experience from the very first puff.
