Dunhill Imperial Pagoda Cumberland Pipe Limited Edition No. 5 of 100 Pipes

Most pagodas were built to serve a religious function and were often located within or near temples. Therefore, the Pagoda could be described as an oriental style of sacred tower. This term may refer to other religious structures in some countries.

The architectural structure of the Pagoda style has spread throughout Asia, taking many different forms as details specific to different regions are incorporated into the overall design. This style is also found in contemporary architecture.

JADE GEMS

The term jade gemstones refers to the mineral varieties of nephrite and jadeite. The English word Jade comes from the Spanish piedra de ijada (first recorded 1565) or loin stone, taken from its reputation for curing diseases of the loin and kidneys. Nephrite derived from lapis nephriticus, Latin version of the Spanish piedra de ijada.

In ancient China, jade was used for ceremonial purposes as early as 6000 BC and was considered the imperial gem and endowed with mystical powers. In the long history of the Chinese empire, jade has always had a very particular meaning, not only for the most refined objects of worship, but also as furniture for the high nobility and the imperial family.

Even today, the finest quality jade can easily be compared in value to that of gold or diamonds.

Because both varieties of jade are very tough (hardness 6 to 7) and harder than steel, special diamond-encrusted tools and techniques are required to carve and polish them. Nephrite can be found in creamy white form and a variety of green colors, while jadeite can have more color variations including blue, lavender, mauve, pink, and emerald green. Of the two, jadeite is the rarer variety.

While nephrite deposits exist in China and Taiwan, Canada, Russia, New Zealand, Australia and the United States, jadeite deposits are found in Guatemala, the United States, Japan and especially Myanmar (formerly Burma).

The jadeite used in this limited edition is Grade A jade, which means it is untreated jade worked using traditional, non-evasive methods (no artificial coloring, bleaching, or chemical injections).

THE THREE PIPES IN LIMITED EDITION 'IMPERIAL PAGODA'

This beautiful tube shape was inspired by the shape of traditional oriental pagoda roofs.

All of these exceptional pipes feature mouthpieces individually cut from solid Cumberland reeds and bear the famous White Spot.

Featuring an elegant jade band set between two thin bands of sterling silver or 18k gold, each pipe is accompanied by a matching pagoda-inspired tamper crafted from pure jade.

The package is a prestigious large gift box, covered in black paint and embossed in relief with a Chinese-inspired motif. In addition, each set is accompanied by a hardcover book, written by one of the world's top jade gemstone experts, Ms. Cecilia Lam Shiu Ling. Each book is individually signed by the author and has been integrated into the inside lid of the presentation box.

The three editions are strictly limited to just 100 pieces in Amber Root finish , 100 pieces in Cumberland finish and 8 pieces in Root Briar finish , of which edition numbers '1' will be held in the White Spot archive.

The jade straps in the Amber Root and Cumberland versions are encapsulated between 2 thin sterling silver straps, while in the Root version the jade straps are made with more expensive and more translucent jadeite and are held in place by two delicate 18k gold straps .

Each pipe is completed with its own unique numbered and hand signed certificate.