Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (4103) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

After acquiring several vulcanite rods in a number of different, brindled colors, Dunhill decided to produce a limited-edition, highly collectible line marked by non-traditional, colorful brindled stems as in this "03" straight Billiard. Classically rendered in Group 3 size, the poised bowl offers a respectable chamber capacity within thick, insulating walls. Paired to an arrow-straight shank-and-stem arrangement, this pipe is especially noteworthy for its handsome accents, including a bright silver band along the shank end and the atypical, commingling colors of the vulcanite stem, the hues a departure from Dunhill's more reserved palettes. It serves as a pleasant contrast to the dark, more traditional stain of the Shell Briar sandblast dressing the stummel.

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.