Shell Briar Quaint Paneled Bent Billiard (6) (2025) 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 Shell Briar sandblast.

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.