Alfred Dunhill The White Spot Zodiac Pipe 2025 'Year of the Snake' - Shell Briar 4135 Horn in Group 4 - Pipe 321 of 529

CHINESE ZODIAC PIPE

THE TWELVE ANIMALS

In Chinese astrology, there are twelve animals that represent twelve different types of characters or personalities. The animals of the Zodiac are, in successive order, the mouse (or rat), the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep (or ram or goat), the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. Therefore, it is the rabbit, which is the fourth animal in every twelve-year cycle of the calendar.

There are several stories and versions that explain why those animals are represented. One legend says that a competition was held to decide which animals should report to the Jade Emperor.

The cat and the mouse were the worst swimmers in the animal kingdom. Although they were bad swimmers, they were both smart. They decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river was to jump on the back of the ox. The ox, being a naive and good-natured animal, agreed to carry them across. However, overcome by fierce competitiveness, the mouse decided that in order to win he had to do something and promptly pushed the cat into the water. Because of this, the cat has never forgiven the mouse and also hates water. After the ox crossed the river, the mouse jumped ahead and reached the bank first, claiming first place in the competition.

Soon after came the strong ox, and was named the 2nd animal of the zodiac. After the ox came the tiger, panting, explaining to the Emperor how difficult it was to cross the river with the strong currents continually pushing it downstream. But with its mighty strength, it reached the bank and was named the 3rd animal of the cycle.

Suddenly, a splash was heard in the distance, and the rabbit arrived. He explained how he had crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to another in an agile way. Halfway, he almost lost the race but the rabbit was lucky enough to grab a floating log that later carried him to the shore. Thus, he became the 4th animal of the zodiac cycle.

In fifth place came the dragon, flying and breathing fire into the air. Naturally, the Emperor was very curious to know why a strong, flying creature like the dragon could not reach the goal first. The mighty dragon explained that he had to stop and make it rain to help all the people and creatures of the earth, and so he was held back a little. Then, on his way to the goal, he saw a small, helpless rabbit clinging to a log, so he did a good deed and blew some of the poor creature's breath so that it could land on the shore. The Emperor was very pleased with the dragon's actions and placed him in the zodiac cycle.

As soon as he did so, a galloping sound was heard and the horse appeared. Hidden on the horse's hoof was the snake, whose sudden appearance frightened the horse, making him step back and giving the snake 6th place while the horse took 7th.

Not long after, a short distance away, the ram, the monkey, and the rooster reached the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to where they were. The rooster spotted a raft and took the other two animals with him. Together, the ram and the monkey cleared the weeds, pulled and pulled, and finally brought the raft to the shore. With their combined efforts, the Emperor was very pleased and promptly named the ram as the eighth creature, the monkey as the ninth, and the rooster as the tenth.

The eleventh animal is the dog. His explanation for the delay - even though he was supposed to be the best swimmer among the others - was that he needed a ¹ good bath after a long time and the cool water of the river was too much temptation. For this, he almost failed to reach the finish line.

Just as the Emperor was about to close the games, a grunt and squeak was heard from a small pig. The pig had gotten hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast, and then fell asleep. After his nap, the pig continued the race and was named the twelfth and final animal in the zodiac cycle. The cat finished too late (thirteenth) to win a place in the calendar and vowed to be the mouse's enemy forever.**

LIMITED EDITION PIPES

"YEAR OF THE SNAKE"

"Produced as a special edition to celebrate the 6th year of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar, the limited edition "Year of the Snake" pipes are the sixth in a series of pipes representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac.

This year's pipe is a classic Group 4 Horn (4135) available in Rubybark, Shell Briar and Shell Ring Grain finishes, with a hand-cut tapered shank bearing the famous White Spot.

Each pipe features a 10mm sterling silver band engraved with the serpent star sign and comes with a specially made soft leather case, not available anywhere else.

This edition is nominally limited to just 529 pieces worldwide in the Shell Briar finish, 373 pieces in the Rubybark finish, and 67 pieces in the Shell Ring Grain finish.

Since all numbers containing the digit '4' have been excluded (the '4' represents death in various Asian countries), in reality only 350 pipes in Shell Briar, 300 in Rubybark and 51 in Shell Ring Grain are being produced, of which only 349 / 299 / 50 pieces will be put on sale.

Edition numbers '1' will be retained in the White Spot archive."

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Subject "Chinese Zodiac" Linked to astrology, with particular appeal to Asian markets.

• Horn 35 shape - classic White Spot quarter circle shape.

• Rubybark Finish - Sandblasted Finish

  • red color
  • originally launched in 2007

• Shell Briar Finish - Sandblasted finish.

  • Black color
  • The first sandblasted finish, invented in 1917 by Alfred Dunhill

• Shell Ring Grain Finish - Similar to the Shell Briar finish, but the grain forms "rings" around the bowl of the pipe

  • This is achieved by sandblasting quality straight grain cups
  • therefore rarer than the Shell Briar finish

• Conical Stem Traditional hand-cut conical stem, individually produced and fitted for each individual pipe.

• Size Gr. 4 - medium-large size

• 10mm Sterling Silver Band Engraved with Snake Image

• Leather Case Complementary case in soft cowhide with embossed snake print;

  • The leather is vegetable tanned and chromium-free.
  • The case is not sold as a single product.

• Limited Edition Exclusive and collectible.

  • Although 529 / 373 / 67 were pressed, only 350 / 300 / 51 finishing pipes were produced, of which only 349 / 299 / 50 units will be offered for sale.

• Certificate Individually Numbered from 1 to 529 / 373 / 67

  • (omitting all numbers containing a '4').