English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar White Spot Billiard with Silver (196) (F/T) (3232) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Lean, firm, and arrow-straight, this "196" Billiard belongs to Dunhill's White Spot line, a series of pipes that resurrects vintage shapes from the English marque's past and retains the old-school stamping conventions associated with those earlier designs. In Group 3 size, the tall, muscular bowl maintains a keen sense of balance with the shank, while the long, tapered mouthpiece stretches considerably out back. The aforementioned stem terminates at a fishtail bit, as denoted by the composition's "F/T" stamp. Dressed in the dark Shell Briar sandblast, the stummel takes on a gently rugged texture that provides plenty of stimulation for the fingers, with the shining, sterling silver accent, which is emblazoned with "The White Spot," providing a dose of ornate flash to the pipe's profile.

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.