Dunhill: Shell Briar (4128) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

A classic shape not often rendered in the modern era, this "28" from Dunhill is an oval-shanked variant of the Author shape — aka the Diplomat. In Group 4 size, this piece features a plump, sturdy bowl with the squat, low-set disposition standard for the form. The shank extends from the transition near the base of the bowl before giving way to a jet-black mount and an arcing tapered stem of vulcanite. The stummel wears the dark, craggy Shell Briar sandblast that draws out some subtle stacks of growth rings about the bowl. The chamfered rim should aid in the loading of a preferred blend, while the mount enables the piece to be easily broken down, even when hot.

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.