Although we often talk about them as touchstones for some of Castello's more iconic shapes — think the "No. 55" Bent Pot, the "No. 10" Brucianaso, and the "No. 11" Bent Apple — the Italian marque themselves haven't actually used those number designations for a number of years now. On very special occasions though, they do dig out the old number designations, and this is just such a one. Castello has brought the "93" designation out of retirement for their limited "Cap" series, which celebrates the classic bent egg — a shape defined by its towering, bulbous bowl and sinuously bent shank and stem — by pairing it with an acrylic army mount and a sterling silver cap emblazoned with Castello's castle logo.

Only 75 of these were made, and we've been lucky enough to get our hands on 30/75, as denoted by the stamp on the underside of the shank. This particular piece is a 'Castello' grade, finished smooth with a warm auburn stain bringing out the birdseye on both cheeks, thanks in no small part to the meticulously placed English cross cut graining.

— Adam M. O'Neill