French large Art Deco brass and leather table lighter by Polaire of Paris c 1920

This very fine meticulously constructed wooden scale model copies the design of a late 18th or early 19th century full sized working example. It dates to circa 1920. This cart is we...

This superb finely detailed model of an 18th century cannon is very well engineered. It has large distinctive front spoked wheels with studded tra...

This most impressive large scale Black Forest limewood figure is beautifully carved and depicts the full standing figure of a portly monk dressed in a simple habit cheerfully enjoyin...

A Most Interesting Early 20th Century Model Ship Diorama within Bottle. This very well modelled and highly detailed model ship diorama within an early spirit bottle dates to circa...

A very well made 1930s continental silver brooch. At the centre of this highly decorative piece, there is a finely cast figure of a seated fairy holding a bouquet of flowers both her...

This fine silver vesta case is of an unusual rare small size. It measures Height 3.7cm x width 2.7cm x depth 1cm. It is a high quality very solidly made example. Hallmarked for Birm...

Table desk tower lighter designed by Polaire Paris. An sleek and elegant table lighter, created in Paris France by the Polaire company, back in the 1935. It was crafted with pure ...

A desk lighter clock designed by Polaire Paris. A beautiful desk lighter-clock, created in Paris France by the Alphonse Brun company know as Polaire Paris, back in the 1938. This pi...

A wonderful Aluminum Art Deco Table lighter by Saroma, made in Japan, 1960. A compliment to the cocktail table, desk or side table - in any room. The lighter is perfect for Cigars,...

Vintage 1929 Art Deco "Rondelight Junior" flint table lighter by Ronson featuring enameled black ball with chrome accents.

France Table. Material: bronze and mirror. Style: Art Deco. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we a...

Table petrol lighter designed by Tiffany & Co. Beautiful and unusual antique table petrol lighter, created in Paris France by the Tiffany & Co., back in the 1919. Crafted after the WWI as a trench-art piece in solid brass with high polished finish and embellished with a round flat holed piece, carved from natural white nacre. It is mounted in a round flat base and is fitted with a thumbwheel and a chained snuffer lid. This antique lighter should be a great conversation piece. Trench Art This is a term used to describe objects made from the debris and by-products of modern warfare. Trench Art is usually associated with the First World War, although similar items have been produced in other conflicts too. Most trench art was made by servicemen to pass the time when not in the front line. Weight: 124.7 Grams, (79.94 Dwt). Measurements: Diameter of 42 mm and a height of 94 (1.65 x 3.68 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, attached with the French tax plaque Ministere Des Finances and signed, "TIFFANY & CO. FRANCE". Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945 Historic Taxation Data On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters made in gold, 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (lower 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter...