Dunhill White Spot Abu Simbel Limited Edition Shell Pipe

The two Abu Simbel temples were built in Nubia in the southern part of Egypt near the Sudanese border during the reign of the great pharaoh Ramses II (1279 – 1213 B.C.) from approximately 1264 until 1244 B.C.

Carved into the rock of the hills near the Nile River the twin temples were monuments to celebrate the successful battle of Kadesh and as lasting memory to both Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.

Over the centuries the temple complex became covered by the desert sand and finally was forgotten.

It was only in 1813 that the Swiss explorer and Orientalist Johann-Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered the top part of the larger temple. Legend tells that a local boy by the name of Abu Simbel guided Mr. Burckhardt to the site. In the following years, the Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni explored the site and found the entrance to the temple. The sketches and paintings of the site made by the famous Scottish painter David Roberts during his voyages to Nubia in 1838/39 helped to make the site known to Victorian society and contributed to the excitement and the fashion for everything Egyptian.

When the Egyptian government started to build the high dam in Aswan in 1960, the rising waters of the newly created Lake Nasser threatened to destroy the Abu Simbel site. The UNESCO appealed to the world and a multi-national rescue was started in 1964, successfully relocating the whole site 200 metres back from the river and 65 metres up the mountains. By 1968, the entire complex had been moved and the temples were saved.

An interesting astrophysical phenomenon appears twice a year, on 22 October and 22 February, when the sun’s rays enter inside the Great Temple and illuminate the sculptures at the back wall of the sanctuary with the exception of the one of Ptah, the god of the Underworld. It is testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptian architects.

Today the Great Temple with the 4 statues of Ramses II and the smaller temple, dedicated to Nerfertari, are both open to the public and are among the most impressive architectural sites to have survived antiquity.

The Abu Simbel pipe has been manufactured to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the rediscovery of the Abu Simbel temples by Johann-Ludwig Burckhardt in 1813.

Specially created for this edition, this exclusive Group 4 Quaint shape in Shell Briar finish is inspired by the pillars of ancient Egyptian temples and fitted with a Sterling Silver band engraved with the inscription Abu Simbel 1813 – 2013 and Old Egyptian symbols.

The pipe tamper, a miniature of a pharaonic column, is crafted from solid Sterling Silver and decorated with fine, very intricate details; it is housed in an impressive leather presentation box and accompanied by a book on Egyptian art and architecture and a limited edition certificate.

The edition is strictly limited to 200 units world-wide.

Features

To commemorate the bi-centenary of the Abu Simbel rediscovery. One of the most famous temples in history. World-wide fascination of the feat to move and save the temple complex in the 1960’s.

Shape – Unique shape specially made for this edition; not available as standard shape. Inspired by the columns of antique Egyptian temples.

Finish – Shell Briar, the famous black sandblasted finish. Invented by Alfred Dunhill in 1917.

Mouthpiece – Taper mouthpiece, individually cut, shaped, finished and fitted from black Vulcanite rod.

Size – Group 4 (medium to large size).

Precious Metal Band – Sterling Silver (92.5% pure silver) – engraved with ABU SIMBEL 1813 to 2013.

Tamper – Crafted from solid Sterling Silver. Shape inspired by historic Egyptian pillars. Very intricate details on surface. Height 74mm. Weight 32g.

Presentation case – Highly impressive and high-status gift presentation. Leather covered wooden box. Relief embossed image depicting the main temple.

Book – “Egypt – Art & Architecture” by Matthias Seidel and Regine Schulz.

Limited Edition – Exclusive & very collectable – worldwide only 200 pieces in Shell Briar & Sterling Silver.

Certificate – Individually numbered and hand-signed.