English Estates: Dunhill Bruyere (253) (F/T) (4) (A) (1966) Tobacco Pipe

This Group 4 "253" from Dunhill strikes the quintessential profile of a straight Billiard: tall bowl, rigid heel, and arrow straight shank and stem, with this one's shank-and-stem combination tapering ever-so-slightly from transition to lip button, which draws focus to the bowl. Fashioned in 1966, this is an excellent, vintage piece from the revered English marque — primed for a place in a collection of antique classics and dressed in Dunhill's beloved Bruyere finish.

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.