VINTAGE 20thC DUNHILL HALF-GIANT AQUARIUM TABLE LIGHTER c.1950

Vintage mid 20th Century Dunhill Half-Giant Aquarium table lighter. Crafted in a curved rectangular shape with silver-plated mounts, this piece features four Lucite panels engraved and painted to depict a three-dimensional tropical aquarium. One side showcases a single fish, while the reverse displays three smaller fish swimming above rocks. The end panels are adorned with similar rocks and aquatic plants, all set against a vivid blue and turquoise background. 

The Aquarium lighters were all designed and hand-made by Ben Shillingford (1904-2000), whose unique skills in designing, carving and hand-painting the Perspex panels could never be equalled. Upon his retirement, the skills necessary to continue to manufacture the "Aquarium" lighter could not be found, and production ceased. No two "Aquarium" lighters are the same and each is a unique work of art. Stamped "Dunhill" to the top fitting, the base is stamped "Dunhill Lighter". 

Reference Number: A10433