English Estates: Dunhill Bruyere Patent (36) (F/T) (4) (A) (1953) Tobacco Pipe

This "36" straight Billiard from Dunhill is many things, but most importantly, I find, is that it is both a wonderful example of the English marque's timeless shaping style, and a tantalizing vintage. Dating back to 1953, this patent Billiard is a glimpse over 50 years back into Dunhill's history and, considering its closeness to their current production Billiards, it would seem that both their standards and ideals have remained consistent. A proud, stolid bowl is perched atop a lengthy shank-and-stem combination, with a wide transition giving the bowl a subtle forward cant, its broad build holding a capacious chamber. The stummel is dressed in Dunhill's Bruyere finish, which reveals handsome grain across the bowl and shank alike.

The Bruyere was Alfred Dunhill's original finish upon launching his brand of premium pipes and smoking accessories and was the only Dunhill finish from 1910 until 1917. Even after the addition of other finishes, the Bruyere maintained a high level of popularity, becoming synonymous with what is thought of, even today, as the quintessential pipe. To achieve the iconic, ruby hue and saturation, a skilled craftsman painstakingly layers particular stains in a precise manner, then meticulously polishes the pipe to a high luster. The final result is, simply put, timeless.