Old pipe. Could it be a Namiki?

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SteC

Lurker
Nov 1, 2025
5
8
Hi everyone,
I found this old Dunhill, and according to Google Translate, the Japanese inscription says "Reviewer Namiki."
I'm looking for information on this. Thanks.
 

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Briarcutter

Lifer
Aug 17, 2023
2,084
11,606
U.S.A.
Very interesting. I know nothing, but if I were to guess, I'd say it was done by the owner, maybe a name? Inlay could be gold. Nice old pipe, should clean up well. It would be interesting to know the history, good luck in your quest. I'm sure someone here has some good information for you.
 
Last edited:

briarblues

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 3, 2017
509
1,147
Namiki is a brand of Japanese pens which are known for their application of Urushi based lacquers and maki-e designs. Dunhill "items" are highly prized in Japan. Possibly the pipe was a "test" for a Dunhill pipe with an Urushi finish that was planned at that time??
 

Dec 3, 2021
6,293
56,083
Pennsylvania & New York
Here’s some background on the Dunhill-Namiki partnership:

Inkstable | Dunhill-Namiki Partnership | History, Craftsmanship & Some Impressive Editions Still Available Inkstable | Dunhill-Namiki Partnership | History, Craftsmanship & Some Impressive Editions Still Available - https://share.google/a4W8NZvJSP5rTWufD

What year make is the pipe? I wonder if this was some kind of presentation inscription for “Reviewer Namiki.” I wonder if there was some kind of book reviewer named Namiki, and he smoked a pipe and this was a gift. Some research could be done.

It doesn’t seem like there’s any way to know the back story on this pipe without some kind of provenance or paper trail, or even an anecdote from some family member of the previous owner. Everything will be speculation.
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
4,872
27,634
Connecticut, USA
Could be a rare example of a test of Urishi lacquer on a Dunhill pipe ... ??? Some people are allergic to Urishi lacquer as its made from a plant similar to Sumac. Good Luck researching it ,,, maybe write to Dunhill with pictures and ask them. Could be a rare find for their archives. (Wishful thinking on my part...) Congratulations.
 

Briarcutter

Lifer
Aug 17, 2023
2,084
11,606
U.S.A.
Could be a rare example of a test of Urishi lacquer on a Dunhill pipe ... ??? Some people are allergic to Urishi lacquer as its made from a plant similar to Sumac. Good Luck researching it ,,, maybe write to Dunhill with pictures and ask them. Could be a rare find for their archives. (Wishful thinking on my part...) Congratulations.
That looks like an old piece, I believe I see "inner tube" and "patent". Did they do that lacquer back then?
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
4,872
27,634
Connecticut, USA
Yes, but I'm wondering if they did it on Dunhill then? I'm thinking it's an aftermarket modification. But I know much less about Dunhill than you do.😉 I just guess a lot.
I agree. Same. That's why I would write to Dunhill and ask them or at least send them an Email with photos. Maybe that was part of of the collaborative ideas they considered at the time. ??? Per @TheIronMonkey 's link they met in 1927 in London then again in 1930 in Japan. Maybe Namiki did it to showcase their talent ???
Disclaimer: Pure 100% genuine guessing here !!!

Apparently they collaborate in modern times:
 

Briarcutter

Lifer
Aug 17, 2023
2,084
11,606
U.S.A.
What ever it's meaning it looks every well done. Which isn't surprising, the Japanese were/are very talented and attention to detail oriented. It's worth noticing that the pipe looks very well used but the gold characters still look very new and detailed, color is still intact. If that was done in the late 1920's era it survived amazingly well. As suggested, I would surely write Dunhill with photographs.
 
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