Items Similar to Lot of 5 Lighters, Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half Giant Lighters
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22
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
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2015
1stDibs seller since 2021
7 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 7 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant LighterBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKA rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactl...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsLucite
- Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant LighterBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKA rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactl...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsLucite
- Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant LighterBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKA rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one look exactl...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsLucite
- Extremely Rare 1950s Dunhill Aviary, Non Aquarium, Half-Giant LighterBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKA extremely rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aviary table lighter (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and painted and no one loo...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsLucite
- Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Service Lighter, Gold Plated, Made in EnglandBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKA rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill Aquarium table lighter (made in England) with silver-plated metal work Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand carved and ...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant Lighter, Chrome Plated, Made in EnglandBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKA rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill aquarium table lighter (made in England) with chrome plated metal work 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 equaled. 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. This one has green background colours with paintings of water...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver Plate
You May Also Like
- 1960s Dunhill Lift Arm Ostrich Leather LighterBy DunhillLocated in Los Angeles, CAElegant Dunhill lift arm lighter made in the 1960s. Body wrapped in ostrich leather that has a perfect patina. Amazing texture and practical size perf...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsMetal
- Dunhill Lizard Skin 'Giant' Lighter, circa 1950By Alfred DunhillLocated in London, GBAn unusual silver plated Dunhill 'Giant' table or desk lighter with Lizard skin covering to the body; circa 1950. The 'Giant' lighter was first seen in t...Category
Vintage 1950s British Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Alfred Dunhill Service Size Aquarium LighterBy Alfred DunhillLocated in Northampton, GBAquarium lighter by Alfred Dunhill. This charming bright blue aquarium lighter has reverse carved lucite panels that are hand-painted making e...Category
Mid-20th Century British Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsGold Plate
- Dunhill Aquarium Companion BangleBy DunhillLocated in Newark, EnglandMatching the Dunhill Aquarium Lighter (His & Hers) The bangle formed in lucite features a reverse decorated central sea scape scene with fis...Category
Mid-20th Century British Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsLucite
- Dunhill 14 Carat Gold Cigarette Gasoline Lighter from 1940s-1950sBy Dunhill, Alfred DunhillLocated in Knivsta, SEAn Elegant 14 Carat Gold Cigarette Lighter, Gasoline Petrol, Albert Dunhill, probably made during the 1940s or 1950s The perfect accessory for...Category
Vintage 1940s English Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsGold
- Very Rare, Hand Painted Alfred Dunhill 'Aquarium' Cigar Humidor, 1950sBy Alfred DunhillLocated in London, GBAlfred Dunhill, London Of extraordinary quality, this beautifully hand-painted 'Aquarium' humidor was a special order collaboration for Dunhill, between Ben Shillingford and watercolour artist Margaret Bennett and features beautifully painted pink lotus flowers being circled by koi carp to the heavy Plexiglas lid. All four sides of the box are profusely decorated with shoals of freshwater fish...Category
Vintage 1950s British Other Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPlexiglass, Cedar
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Cigar Table Cutter
Wooden Shoe Snuff Box
Dunhill Silver Lighter Small
Dunhill Sterling Lighter
Vintage Matchbox Set
Vintage Matchbox Sets
Dunhill Lighter Paris
Decorative Crafts Inc Lamps
Vintage Crystal Table Lighter
Antique Smoking Hookah
Romano Bianchi
Qajar Hookah
Smoking Compendium
Antique Snuff Mull
Damascene Cigarette
Jeep Willys Vintage
Vintage Matchbox Case
Antique Indian Pipes