English Estates: Dunhill Tanshell (5102) (2002) 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 warm, light, Tanshell finish, revealing rippling grain and lending this piece some lovely texture for the fingers to appreciate.

Created in 1951, the Tanshell marked Dunhill's fourth finish behind the Bruyere (1910), Shell Briar (1917), and Root Briar (1931); however, Dunhill didn't complete the "Tanshell" stamp until December 1951, waiting until 1952 to actually introduce the first Tanshell pipes. Considered one of the English marque's rarest, most collectible finishes, the Tanshell boasts a concise sandblast but unlike the dark-stained Shell Briar, the Tanshell is naturally stained, intended to develop a warm patina as it darkens with prolonged use over time.