English Estates: Dunhill Bruyere (44) (3) (A) (1970s) Tobacco Pipe

This vintage Billiard from venerable English marque Dunhill displays why the classic shape has remained one of the pipe world's most celebrated standards, with a slightly forward-leaning, upright bowl and an arrow-straight shank-and-stem combination. The shank here is notable for its slightly extended ovoid shape, though it's not quite long enough and the tapering stem not quite short enough to be a Canadian. It's been dressed in the rich hues of the Bruyere finish, accentuating lovely birdseye on the right flank for an attractive, traditional aesthetic.

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.