English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar Quaint Rhodesian (5) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

An Acorn-like take on the Rhodesian, this Dunhill is part of the English marque's Quaint series, which features designs that may be based off of traditional shapes but don't readily align with Dunhill's standard pipe chart. This piece features the same lithe S-curve as the "08" but with a considerably taller bowl, the transition low-set and the beadlines contrastingly high up the bowl. A Group 5 offering, it's a playful take on the Rhodesian, with the flaring bowl combining elements of Dublin and Acorn and the sinuous transition calling to mind the Calabash shape, and it's dressed here 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.