Dunhill: Millennium Hallmark Shell Briar with Silver (4103) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

The Millennium Hallmark is a special series from Dunhill that was originally crafted to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium in 2000, though lives on today in precious few examples. This particular piece is the English marque's iconic "03" Billiard, rendered in Group 4 size and showcasing the clean lines and soft curves which have made the profile a timeless classic. Its junction is fitted with a broad silver band that is stamped with enlarged hallmarks, showcasing their minutia in increased detail and highlighting the stately beauty of the impressions which adorn English silver. It works exceptionally well with the dark, inky sandblast of the iconic Shell Briar finish, lending it an aesthetic that's evocative of a rugged Dress pipe.

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.