Service Size Dunhill Aquarium Pocket Lighter

Service Size Dunhill Aquarium Pocket Lighter

A quintessential piece of mid-20th century design, the Service Size Dunhill Aquarium Pocket Lighter is renowned for its distinctive reverse intaglio lucite panels, set off by elegant silver-plated brass mounts. Made in England circa 1950, this vintage pocket lighter embodies the innovation and artistry of Dunhill’s celebrated “Aquarium” series, a favourite amongst discerning collectors of watch accessories and objets d’art.

Origin: England
Date: Circa 1950
Material: Lucite, reverse intaglio, silver-plated brass

Dimensions: H8 x W6.5 x D4 cm
Condition: Mounts worn, minor wear commensurate with age

This exemplary work of art hails from a period when Dunhill stood at the forefront of British luxury accoutrements, creating strikingly decorative lighters that reflect both the technological advances and design sensibilities of post-war England. The reverse intaglio panels, typically hand-carved and hand-painted, set the Dunhill Aquarium Lighter apart from standard lighters, bringing a touch of marine life and nautical elegance to one of the most desirable vintage watch accessories on the market.

Notable Features:

• Exquisite Craftsmanship: Each panel is painstakingly fashioned using reverse intaglio techniques, allowing scenes of marine and aquatic life to shimmer from within the lucite. The effect is visually captivating, with each lighter being unique due to its hand-finished artistry.
• Elegant Design: The robust “service size” lends practical weight to the piece, while the soft curves of the lucite and the classic, engine-turned detailing on the mounts showcase the signature design language of mid-century Dunhill creations.
• Collecting Value: Dunhill “Aquarium” lighters are highly sought after by collectors for their rarity, artistry, and enduring appeal. This example’s combination of lucite panels and silver-plated brass mounts adds further desirability, echoing pieces held in renowned collections worldwide.
• Practical and Decorative: Suitable for both refined display as a centrepiece in a study or living space, and as a functional vintage lighter, this work of art represents the essence of a classic, collectable accessory for aficionados of twentieth-century British design.

This vintage Dunhill Aquarium Pocket Lighter is an exceptional addition to any collection of watch accessories or twentieth-century works of art, encapsulating post-war British glamour and masterful artisanal skill.