Dunhill: Shell Briar Quaint Bent Billiard with Silver (3) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Although Dunhill typically sticks to their century-old shape chart, their Quaint series focuses on pipes that break the mold. This slightly bent Billiard by Dunhill, presented here in Group 3 size, makes one major alteration to Dunhill's shape-chart standard Billiard, revising the bowl's shape. Usually, Dunhill's Billiard bowls will have a forward cant and symmetrical taper, whereas this bowl is perpendicular with the shank and has a more subtle taper to the rim, the bulb-like shape paired to a willowy shank and stem. Additionally, this pipe features a silver band that adds some flair to Dunhill's classic Shell Briar finish.

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.