Dunhill White Spot Namiki Quail Billiard Pipe (Limited Edition 87 of 100)

The Japanese art of Hira Maki-e is a painstaking process of intense detailing. Here in the Namiki series, artisans Mr. Michifumi Kawaguchi and Mr. Yutaka Sato handmade each pipe over a 14-month period, using this traditional method. The result is this stunning piece of art, featuring the image of a quail at the fore of the pipe, a jet-black lacquered base, and gold-plated accent band at the shank end.

Starting with a base of briar, the pipe is layered first using Urushi, a lacquer, with details added using powdered gold and other precious materials, creating the image on the pipe. More layers of lacquer are added, which are burnished once hardened to reveal the beautiful image created beneath. Each piece is then finished with a vulcanite mouthpiece and gold-plated brass band for a touch of additional flash.

While both Mr. Michifumi Kawaguchi and Mr. Yutaka Sato worked on pipes for this project, this piece was handcrafted and its certificate is signed by Mr. Yutaka Sato.