Pope Pius XII - Manifattura F.lli Rossi made in 1939

Made in Italy (made by the historic Manifattura F.lli Rossi in 1939)

Free gift wrapping is included

In 1939, to celebrate the election of Pope Pius XII, a Roman shopkeeper commissioned the company F.lli Rossi of Molina di Barasso to create a pipe with the Pope’s face. The series, planned in a limited number of pieces, was initially very successful among tourists and collectors, but also aroused controversy and criticism from those who considered it blasphemous. Under pressure from the authorities, the shopkeeper was forced to withdraw sales, and many pieces remained unsold.