Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver Spigot (3103) Tobacco Pipe

In Group 3 size, Dunhill's "03" straight Billiard is perhaps at its most quintessential, perfectly personifying the classic form and representing the archetype to which many other makers look for inspiration and shaping standards. This particular one benefits from a spigot mount of sterling silver, and it's notably more extroverted than Dunhill's typically more reserved, conservative style: The fitment at the shank is traditional and rounded, but the stem base wears an accoutrement that's elegantly rounded into two diminishing tiers — lending the profile a regal sense of luxury that calls to mind Art Deco architecture.

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.