Dunhill: Shell Briar (4114) (2014) Tobacco Pipe

This "14" bent Dublin from Dunhill offers flowing lines and a sinuous profile in muscular Group 4 proportions. Flared to the rim, the bowl possesses a sweeping heel that carries momentum into the upturned shank and arcing tapered stem. The shank-and-stem arrangement strikes a willowy S-curve that promotes a comfortable smoking posture while also providing the composition with a nice bit of curvature. The inky black hues of the classic Shell Briar sandblast dress the stummel here, revealing some handsome grain throughout and solidifying this pipe's timeless looks.

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.