English Estates: Dunhill Shell (5155) (2002) Tobacco Pipe

​This "55" bent Billiard from Dunhill, rendered in Group 5 proportions, boasts a sweeping momentum and plenty of palm-filling substance throughout. The bowl stands just under two inches tall, with thick walls curving out from the firm, rounded heel and tapering gradually toward the flat rim, framing a capacious chamber within. A lithe, upturned shank pairs to the bowl out back, joining to an arcing tapered stem that offers a comfortable smoking posture. Dunhill's iconic Shell Briar finish dresses the stummel, showcasing healthy grain beneath a dark, ebony stain.

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.