Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (3103) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Part of limited offering from Dunhill that combines the English marque's Shell Briar finish with cumberland stems, this Billiard is an eye-catching and highly collectible piece. An archetypal Billiard, the proportions are in perfect balance and the shaping is gentle but solid. The rounded bowl meets a subdued heel that curves into a slim, round shank adorned with the series' etched silver band. This pipe is fitted with a tapered stem rendered in cumberland for an elegant and refined aesthetic. The stummel is richly textured in Dunhill's Shell Briar sandblast, for a rugged touch in this well-balanced offering.

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.