Dunhill: Ruby Bark Quaint Paneled Bent Billiard (6) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

On Dunhill's standard shape chart, the "23" design is the English marque's traditional take on the Foursquare — a straight Billiard of paneled disposition through the shank and bowl. The White Spot doesn't designate a shape number for a bent version of such a form, though, so this example is found in the Quaint series, which is reserved for such designs not marked by Dunhill's shape numbering system. It's a hearty Group 6 design, the largest standard Group size, and such a presence offers full appreciation of the stummel's paneled nature, as well as the texture of the Ruby Bark sandblast.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.