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Lot of 5 Lighters, Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half Giant Lighters
About the Item
Lot of 5 Rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill Aquarium table lighters (made in England)
Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactly similar.
Ben Shillingford (1904-2000) commenced to work for Dunhill in the late 1940s as a Master Engraver. The “Aquarium” Collection was launched in 1949 and it ceased at the end of the 1950s following Ben Shillingford’s retirement, simply because his mastery could never be equalled.
No two aquarium lighters are the same, each and every piece was uniquely handmade, carved, painted and assembled by Ben Shillingford and his team.
The vast majority depict fish and various aquatic scenes, however, other subjects such as ships, birds and hunting scenes were produced in very small numbers.
“Aquarium” lighters were made in four different sizes namely the “Giant”, the “Half-Giant”, the “Standard” and the “Service” with three kinds of metal finishes available: gold-plated, silver-plated and chrome-plated.
These 5 Half-Giant lighters are all different: (from left to right)
#1 : on the front panel shows 3 orange/black fishes; on the back panel shows 1 orange and 1 blue fish; the small sides shows light green background
#2 : on the front panel shows 1 blue fish with long fins and 1 orange/black fins; on the back panel shows 1 large orange fish; the small sides shows dark colour with blue background
#3 : on the front panel shows 1 blue fish with red fins, 1 orange fish with black fins and a grey fish; on the back panel shows 1 large grey fish with black/orange fins; the small sides shows dark colour with blue background
#4 : on the front panel shows 1 brown fish with black fins; on the back panel shows 2 blue fishes; the small sides shows dark colour with blue background
#5 : on the front panel shows 1 orange fish with black fins; on the back panel shows 2 blue fishes; the small sides shows dark colour with blue background
The lighter is in working order, to lit them you will have to purchase Dunhill lighter fluid, and fill them, as for shipping regulations the lighters have to be emptied.
About shipment: Since it is a lighter, most of the logistic company wouldn’t allow air shipment, nonetheless we will try our best to send them by air with proper paperwork. Otherwise shipment will be done by sea and take slightly longer to arrive at destination.
Dimensions: Height 7.5cm, width 10cm, depth 5cm.
A good looking and well-made piece, the condition is good for the period, structurally free from any damage, some paint loss, trace of humidity
Condition: Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description.
- Creator:Dunhill (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.96 in (7.5 cm)Width: 3.94 in (10 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description.
- Seller Location:Hong Kong, HK
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
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Established in 2015
1stDibs seller since 2021
8 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: A week
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
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