HELP: OLD FRENCH "RJB" BENT - WHO MADE THIS?

[Humblepipe]

Gents, I have this pipe with some light stamping. Left side of shank (pretty strong), "R.J.B.". Right side, (maybe) "Arianna" in fancy script, (definitely) "Haut Luxe", or High Luxury in French. "Sterling" (in English) on the band. It looks like a pretty old Frenchie to me. Any info appreciated:

 

[verporchting]

Wow, what a groovy design!!

Definitely has that swan neck thing happening but with an apple bowl instead of a chimney or billiard. How cool is that?!

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a French design like that but I’m sure curious to see the comments. Especially regarding dates.

 

[BROBS]

I wonder if the band is a repair.. or maybe replacement? Is the shank cracked?

Whatever it is that shape is crazy man.

 

[ChuckMijo]

Not sure looks like R.B.J to me. The only thing I found was a reference to American estate Sir Watson. No idea beyond google.

 

[Humblepipe]

I wonder if the band is a repair.. or maybe replacement? Is the shank cracked?

Whatever it is that shape is crazy man.

Shank has no crack, but looking more closely interior mortise has remnants of threading... replacement stem likely. The original would have been threaded. Smoking it now for the first time. Thankfully the replacement stem is an older quality vulcanite one. Likely custom made for the pipe long ago. Fit is very good.

 

[Humblepipe]

Not sure looks like R.B.J to me. The only thing I found was a reference to American estate Sir Watson. No idea beyond google.

It has to be French or made in a French speaking country I would think. I tried very web search I could think of...

 

[ChuckMijo]

It has to be French or made in a French speaking country I would think. I tried very web search I could think of...

Is it RBJ or RJB? Smoking pipes has one listed RBJ which is what I believe yours says. It lists it as American estate? I don’t know anything past that. Really beautiful shape to that pipe. !!!

 

[Humblepipe]

Is it RBJ or RJB? Smoking pipes has one listed RBJ which is what I believe yours says. It lists it as American estate? I don’t know anything past that. Really beautiful shape to that pipe. !!!View attachment 62273

Yes.. "RBJ" sorry about that. A brain fart. Weird if it is an American estate. "Haut Luxe"? Interestingly enough, Smokingpipes had this one listed underneath the RBJ you found. The shape in the ball park... early 1900s French. I am shooting in the dark now, hunh?

 

[verporchting]

Wowsers, that one is a beauty too. Love that swan neck!

 

[Ahi Ka]

Bro that pipe is dope! Kinda something I would expect to see DiCaprio smoking in Django unchained. If you don’t want it, I call shotgun