Name: Alfred Dunhill Aquarium cigar or cigarette box, 1950s
Brand: Alfred Dunhill
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Alfred Dunhill Aquarium cigar or cigarette box, 1950s

View Similar Items

Estate Alfred Dunhill Paris Exotic Coromandel Wood Bridge Game Box

ALFRED DUNHILL Paris 1928 Louis Kuppenheim Enameled Japonisme Box 935 Sterling

Rosewood cigars Box around 1950s

Mid-Century Accordion Cigarette Box, 1950s

Smart English Silver Art Deco Cigarette or Cigar Box, 1937

A Liberty Tudric Patinated Pewter Cigar or Cigarette Box, c1910

Cigarette dice dispenser by Legros Marius for Dunhill Paris 1930s

Silver and Guilloche enamel Cigar or Cigarette Humidor or box by Albert Carter

Ashtray & cigarette holder Dice by Legros Marius for Dunhill Paris 1930s

Mid-Century Bulldog & Scottish Terrier Cigarette Box, 1950s

Sailor Scottish Terrier Drinking Beer Cigarette Box, 1950s

Wood Box for Desk or Cigars, France, 1950

About the Item

Alfred Dunhill, London An extremely scarce 'Aquarium' cigar box made by by Ben Shillingford for Dunhill, circa mid- 1950. The sides of the box are in honey-coloured satinwood veneers, and inlaid to the top is a large Perspex panel, carved in reverse using the intaglio technique, illustrating eight tropical fish in an aquatic scene, with detailed rocks and reeds in the background. The cedar lined interior has the original label ‘Dunhill London Made in England' fitted to the inside of the lid. There are so few of these boxes in existence, they were most likely bespoke special orders. Size: 9 x 5 x 4 inches (23 x 13 x 10 cm). PLEASE NOTE, THE LIGHTER IS IT SHOWN WITH IS FOR SCALE ONLY AND IS NOT INCLUDED. The ‘Aquarium’ lighters were all designed and hand-made for Dunhill between 1950 and 1959 by Ben Shillingford (1904-2000), whose unique skills in designing, carving and hand-painting the Perspex panels could never be equalled. Upon his retirement, the skills necessary to continue to manufacture the ‘Aquarium’ lighter could not be found, and production ceased. No two ‘Aquarium’ lighters are the same – each is, in its way, a unique work of art. The vast majority, logically, depict aquatic scenes, of either sea-water or fresh-water fish (but never both). A very small number of lighters depict non-aquatic scenes – hunting, horse-racing and aviary subjects in particular. The ‘Aquarium’ lighter was made in two sizes, the ‘Half-Giant’ and the smaller (and somewhat rarer) ‘Service’ size. They were available in three metal finishes, namely gold-plated, silver-plated and chromium-plated, and all were, of course, fuelled with petrol rather than butane, which came into common usage in the 1960’s. Boxes made by Dunhill which feature 'Aquarium' panels by Ben Shillingford are extremely scarce and consequently are highly sought-after by 'Aquarium' lighter collectors. We have only seen two examples of this design in the last 15 years.

Creator:
Alfred Dunhill (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Style:
Other (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Paint,Plexiglass,Wood,Hand-Carved,Hand-Painted,Veneer
Place of Origin:
United Kingdom
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1955
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. There are some small, light marks to the satinwood veneer, the Perspex panel is nice and clear, the paint colours are crisp and bright. Overall, the condition is extremely good.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 63881stDibs: LU868013027962

20th Century British Art Deco Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Estate Alfred Dunhill Paris Exotic Coromandel Wood Bridge Game Box

$1,500

ALFRED DUNHILL Paris 1928 Louis Kuppenheim Enameled Japonisme Box 935 Sterling

By Louis Kuppenheim, Alfred Dunhill

Located in Miami, FL

An enameled box by Louis Kuppenheim for Alfred Dunhill. This is an extraordinary and extremely rare desk box with double enameling. The box have been created in the city of Pforzhei...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Silver, Enamel

ALFRED DUNHILL Paris 1928 Louis Kuppenheim Enameled Japonisme Box 935 Sterling

$19,985

Rosewood cigars Box around 1950s

Located in Wien, AT

Rosewood cigars Box around 1950s shellac varnish by Hand

Category

Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood cigars Box around 1950s

$263

Mid-Century Accordion Cigarette Box, 1950s

By Studio Art Deco

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

Mid-century accordion cigarette box, France, 1950's. Noble woods & bakelite. Measures: height: 5.3"(13.5cm), width: 6.7"(17cm), depth : 4.1"(10.5cm). Very good condition. Just a few ...

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Bakelite, Wood

Mid-Century Accordion Cigarette Box, 1950s

$1,300

Smart English Silver Art Deco Cigarette or Cigar Box, 1937

Located in Bath, GB

A truly iconic Art Deco double-lidded cigarette or cigar box with the most fantastic shaped handle to the top. The box is entirely engine-turned and stands on four elegant feet. T...

Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Sterling Silver

Smart English Silver Art Deco Cigarette or Cigar Box, 1937

$4,898

Free Shipping

A Liberty Tudric Patinated Pewter Cigar or Cigarette Box, c1910

By Liberty & Co., Tudric

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

A Liberty Tudric Patinated Pewter Cigar or Cigarette Box, c1910 Additional information: Date : c.1910 stamped 0125 beneath Period : Edward VII - George V Origin : London England Dec...

Category