Ardor Pipes
In 1911, the four Rovera brothers, Federico, Carlo, Cornelio and Francesco created the Rovera line of pipes. As is common among so many pipemakers that are now renowned for their excellent hand crafted pipes, Rovera started by manufacturing machine made pipes. Initially, water power from mills near Lake Como drove the machines used to carve the pipes. The son of Federico, Angelo, joined the business a few years later. In 1958, Angelo's son Dorelio in turn joined the business at the age of 13. Dorelio, after many years of experience began to yearn for something more distinct and artistic in the Rovera pipes. Initially, under the supervision of his father, Dorelio began to create a series of Rovera pipes created entirely by hand. It is from this series that Ardor was born. Ardor has come to symbolize all that Dorelio sought for: creativity, artistry, quality and sincerity. Today, Dorelio Rovera is responsible for the carving of almost all of the pipes that carry the Ardor line. Recently, his son, Domiano, after many years of apprenticing, has joined his father in the creation of Ardor pipes. Domiano is involved in various processes, from staining to sanding; however, it is only recently that Dorelio and Domiano have decided that Domiano is ready to carve his own pipes under the Ardor name. His style, though certainly influenced by that of his father, has a more organic, fluid look than Dorelio's. Pipes carved by Dorelio are stamped 'Dorelio Rovera' or sometimes simply 'DR'. Domiano now has his own stamp which is always "Domiano Rovera". Ardor pipes are completely handmade with bowls turned from extra quality briar from Sardinia, Calabria and Ligurian that is aged for an additional ten years and stems that are cut from solid rod Lucite. The unique creative vision of the Roveras combined with minute attention to detail, yield a pipe that has become renowned for both its beauty and superb smoking qualities.
