Dunhill: Millennium Hallmark Shell Briar with Silver (5103) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

A rare example of Dunhill's Millennium Hallmark series, originally released to commemorate the turning of the millennium in 2000, this "03" Billiard is an elegant and finely adorned piece. Rendered in Group 5 size, this archetypal Billiard is on the larger end of Dunhill's portfolio, housing a large chamber for long smokes. The robust bowl rests atop a subdued heel and balanced round shank fitted with a finely engraved silver band and tapered vulcanite stem. Dressed in Dunhill's Shell Briar finish, this pipe boasts an air of refined earthy elegance.

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.