English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar (5102) (2003) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

A thoroughly classic English pipe, this bent Billiard from Dunhill boasts a seamless, sweeping profile, the elongated, bent stem ensuring it should hang effortlessly from the jaw. There's a good deal of sinuousness here that the eyes are sure to appreciate, with plenty of curves through the bowl as well to ensure a comfortable feel in hand. Rendered in Group 5 size, this "02" is deep of chamber and dressed in the marque's dark, Shell Briar sandblast, the all-black color palette refined and dressy. Presented unsmoked.

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.