Dunhill: Ruby Bark Quaint Rhodesian (3) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

As part of the Quaint series, this Rhodesian doesn't fall into Dunhill's standard shape chart. Though the Rhodesian is a classic design, this particular rendition doesn't align with the English marque's defined shape numbers. It's reminiscent, however, of Dunhill's vintage "KC" design, only with a broader bowl, a firmer encircling ridgeline, and a stronger degree of taper lent to the rim. The transition is seamless on this piece, leading directly into the arrow-straight shank-and-stem combination with the hand-cut vulcanite stem tapering gradually to the lip button. This piece is dressed in the marque's Ruby Bark finish, covering the stummel in a crisp, vibrant, crimson sandblast and pairing it with a flashy silver band at the junction for added flair.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.