Dunhill: Shell Briar (3135) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "21" and "35" shapes are both renditions of the Zulu. Both shapes often pair flaring, forward-canted bowls to subtly bent shanks, but the "35" features a more defined heel and extended transition that offsets the bowl's gestural poise in profile. This particular rendition features a gradual, Dublin-like taper from the broad rim to the firm heel, while a languidly curved shank-and-stem arrangement reaches out back. The tapered mouthpiece of jet-black vulcanite tops off the design, its dark color perfectly complementing the stark Shell Briar sandblast that dresses the stummel, making for a shadowy, refined palette. The aforementioned sandblast draws out some handsome, rippling waves of growth rings that provide the stummel with plenty of textural and visual intrigue.

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.