Dunhill: Shell Briar Quaint Dublin (5) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

A fitting shape for Dunhill's Quaint series — a line devoted to pipes that don't conform exactly to the English marque's standard shape chart — this piece combines elements of the Poker and Dublin shapes for a striking silhouette. Flattened of base and cylindrical through the lower bowl, it sits sturdily, while the upper bowl flares dramatically into a broad, flat rim. Dressed in the Shell Briar line's rustic sandblast and dark stain, this piece presents a tasteful color palette and stunning texture.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipesmoking 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.