Dunhill: Shell Briar Zodiac 'Year of the Pig 2019' (4103) (193/288) Tobacco Pipe

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Dunhill creates a limited number of pipes in a variety of finishes yearly for their Zodiac Series. In 2019, it was the Year of the Pig, and Dunhill chose to represent the Zodiac with, perhaps, their most iconic shape, the "03" Billiard in Group 4 size. This pipe will be instantly familiar to any fan of Dunhill, but there are atypical features as well, namely the dark-red, smooth rim and the glistening silver band that displays a carved picture of a pig. Additionally, this classic Billiard is dressed in Dunhill's legendary 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.