Dunhill: Shell Briar Quaint Churchwarden (4) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Churchwarden pipes from Dunhill are far less common than their trimmer brethren, though when they do crop up, they're almost always striking in their looks, with this Tomato-like iteration being no exception. As part of the Quaint series, this pipe doesn't conform to the White Spot's standard shape chart and that's worked quite well here, as the bowl of this pipe showcases a rotund, voluptuous build that prioritizes plumpness and curves. This leads to a comfortable fit in hand and, here, a trim, high-kicking shank that meets a deeply arced stem of tapering black vulcanite, extending the reach of the composition considerably. In addition, this stem adds a defined gracile element to the piece that balances out the visual weight of the bowl well without detracting attention away from it. Dressed in the crisp black sandblast of the Shell Briar finish, this pipe is sure to provide pleasurable smoking while reading, or at any other time.

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.