English Estates: Dunhill Shell Patent Billiard (660) (1948) Tobacco Pipe

This 1948 Billiard shape from Dunhill personifies the elegant simplicity of classical pipe making. Bearing the designation "660," this pipe fits lightly in hand with its proportionately short shank and compact bowl size. The slight forward cant of the bowl is balanced in profile by the straightness of the shank and saddle stem, giving the piece a litheness and sleek grace. Finished in Dunhill's Shell Briar sandblast, the natural growth rings of the briar are on full display, traveling the length of the bowl and adding a rich texture.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipe-smoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.