English Estates: Dunhill Shell (4) (S) (6P) Tobacco Pipe

This Bulldog by Dunhill possesses a stout bowl, with supple walls that flare outward to a broad waistline, bereft of beadlines, and then concically taper as they ascend to the trim rim. Out back, the transition is particularly structured, as the sharp cheeking extends along the facets of the diamond shank and peaks at a ridgeline that meets the bowl's waist. Furthermore, the shank joins to a willowy, offset saddle stem, a seldom-seen design on Dunhills. Additionally, this Group 4 piece is dressed in the iconic Shell Briar sandblast.

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.