Items Similar to Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Service Lighter, Gold Plated, Made in England
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Service Lighter, Gold Plated, Made in England

About the Item
A 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 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.
This one has green and blue background colours with paintings of water plants and rocks. It depict what seems to be a single red betta fish on the front panel and three neon tetra on the back panel. The side panels are similar as the background of the main panels. The gold-plated metal work is in good condition.
The paint looks all in good condition to my eyes.
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 7cm, width 6cm, depth 3.5cm.
A good looking and well-made piece, the condition is good for the period, structurally free from any damage
Condition: Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description.
- Creator:Dunhill (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.76 in (7 cm)Width: 2.37 in (6 cm)Depth: 1.38 in (3.5 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 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
- Lot of 5 Lighters, Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half Giant LightersBy DunhillLocated in Hong Kong, HKLot 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 ca...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsChrome, Silver 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
- 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 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, Silver 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 p...Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver Plate
- 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
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
- Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950By Alfred DunhillLocated in London, GBA rare silver plated Dunhill Aquarium table lighter, Vintage mid-20th century very large "half-giant" size, the perspex body enclosing decoration of fish, in multiple colours and chr...Category
Vintage 1950s British More Desk Accessories
MaterialsAcrylic
- Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950By Alfred DunhillLocated in London, GBAn extremely rare silver plated Dunhill Aquarium table lighter, Vintage mid-20th century very large "half-giant" size, the perspex body enclosing decoration of fish, in multiple colo...Category
Mid-20th Century British More Desk Accessories
MaterialsSilver Plate
- 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
- Dunhill Gemline Gold Plated Boxed Fountain Pen With Engine Turned DecorationBy DunhillLocated in High Wycombe, GBDunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Fountain Pen With An Engine Turned Decoration With Enamel Inset Clip With Original Dunhill Box With Outer Cardboard SleeveCategory
20th Century Swiss Art Deco Desk Sets
MaterialsGold Plate, Enamel
- Japanese Grenade LighterLocated in Los Angeles, CAUnique vintage table lighter in the shape of a grenade. Made in Japan with "Comoy's of London" tag on the felted base. Cool tobacco accessory and ...Category
Vintage 1980s Japanese Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsMetal
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Gold Service
Vintage Look Plates
Vintage Looking Plates
Made In England Plates
Rare Vintage Pictures
Collection Of Rare Plates
Metal Made In England
Gold Service Plates
Mid Century Modern Lighter
Gold Lighter
Tobacco Finish
Fish Service
Retro Table Lighter
Gold Table Service
Small Paintings England
1950s Lighter
Table Service Plates
Small Red Plate