English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar Quaint (5) (2007) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's collectable Quaint line presents shapes that are more individualized of design, not conforming to the English marque's standard shape chart. This hearty, tapering Group 5 is such a pipe, its tall, plump and rounded bowl wearing a low-waisted, wrapping ridgeline just above the transition. Housing plenty of chamber depth in its Brandy-esque bowl, it's paired to a gently rising oval shank and dark, vulcanite stem that downturns sharply at the bit, the bend speaking to the Prince shape. Unique and rather jaunty, it's wearing the marque's Shell Briar finish, the all-black finish only interrupted by a very trim, smooth band of briar the shank end.

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.