English Estates: Dunhill Ruby Bark (3121) (2017) Tobacco Pipe

A charming, gestural piece, this "21" Zulu from Dunhill boast a fluid ease. Subtly tapering from its chamfered rim, the bowl carries into a smooth transition with the flattened, oval shank, which nicely accentuates the slight forward cant of the bowl. A flattened panel runs the length of the shank, enabling this piece to sit, ideal for a busy multitasker. The junction between the shank and stem is adorned with a band of bright sterling silver, which when paired with the black tapered stem adds a refined aesthetic that nicely complements the Ruby Bark sandblast. Presented in Group 3 size, this pipe is a modest, elegant piece of English craftsmanship.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.