Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (4208) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

On Dunhill's standard shape chart, the "08" can designate either a bent Rhodesian or a bent Bulldog, depending on the shape of the shank. This particular Group 4-sized offering is of the Bulldog variety, and it pairs a broad, muscular bowl to an upturned diamond shank and a demurely curved saddle stem. The shank's firm, rigid lines provide a touch of structure to the composition and mirror the ridgeline that wraps just below the bowl's tapered rim. Part of limited release, this piece pairs the crisp, dark Shell Briar sandblast with a sterling silver accent and a mouthpiece of cumberland for a rather distinctive presentation.

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.