Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (4102) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

Part of a special release from Dunhill, this bent Billiard combines Dunhill's Shell Briar finish with a silver band and cumberland stem for a fresh take on the English classic. Rendered in Group 3 proportions, this piece is both palm-filling and sleek. The shaping on display is thoroughly English, with even proportions and a subdued heel that sweeps into an upturned shank, balanced with the rim of the bowl. The accent band at the transition is smartly etched and offers a nice contrast with the dark color palette. The cumberland stem is comfortably bent to suit a variety of smoking postures.

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.