Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (3110) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "10" shape code designates one of two shapes, either a classic Liverpool, or a Bing's Favorite Billiard, with this piece falling comfortably into the latter category. As such, this is a sleek, svelte pipe, with a shank and stem combination possessed of a charming thinness, the shank itself transitioning quite low on the bowl. Said bowl is pert and upright, standing atop a rounded heel with walls that take on a very ginger taper to the rim, its slight curves lending it a comfortable feel in hand. Part of a special series from the White Spot, this pipe comes dressed in the inky stain and crisp sandblast of the Shell Briar series, though it's paired with a textured silver band and a striking cumberland stem, the stem's hues matching with the ruby stain of the chamfered rim.

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.