Dunhill: Shell Briar (5215) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Presented in hearty Group 5 size, this "15" bent Pot from Dunhill is a fetching rendition of the classic shape. It features a tall, deep-chambered bowl that rises at the fore of a steeply bent shank-and-stem arrangement. The shank is framed by crisp facets that lend a pronounced angularity to the entire shape's profile and provide some visual contrast to the bowl's supple curves. The dark Shell Briar sandblast dresses the stummel and brings vivid definition to the briar's natural grain, further elevating this piece's visual and tactile aspects.

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.