ALFRED DUNHILL (BRITISH 1872-1959): A gilt-plated and lucite 'Aquarium' lighter, circa 1950, service size, with electroplated gilt mounts, four lucite panels, each deeply engraved in reverse intaglio technique and hand-painted to create a three-dimensional effect, decorated with silver fish against a pale blue colourway, the lift arm signed ‘Dunhill’, base stamped ‘DUNHILL LIGHTER, MADE IN ENGLAND, PATENT NO 143752

7.5cm high x 6cm wide

Notes: Dunhill Aquarium Lighters are miniature works of art that first appeared in 1949 and were made until 1959. They were a luxury functional object aimed at the wealthy and notable owners and collectors of Dunhill Aquarium Lighters were Sir Winston Churchill, the IT couple of post-war Britain Norah Docker and husband Sir Bernard and most recently Timothy Oulton.

The lighters were made from lucite, characterized by its transparency, durability, and resistance to yellowing. The panels that formed the lighters were hand carved with reverse intaglios using tools and drills.

The panels were then painted and applied to the lighters’ bodies in four distinct sections. All the lighters were hand carved and painted so everyone is unique. The main artist on many of the lighters was Ben Shillingford and later on husband and wife team of Margaret and Allan Bennett.