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ID #SA1219072
FOR SALE
£6,500
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Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950
Bushells Antiques
for sale €7,605     $8,255
£6,500
Bushells Antiques

Bushells Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
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    Fine art, porcelain, jewellery, silver, clocks, pictures, oriental objects d’art and furniture
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Id #SA1219072
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Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950

1940 - 1960
Description

A 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 chrome-plated lift-arm. 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. The lighter is marked "Dunhill" both to the arm and base, the base is also stamped "Dunhill Lighter". Serial number "REG. No 737418". In full working order, it dates to year 1950's. Aquarium lighters are extremely rare and collectable, in great condition. The silver plate is still very good with very minimal wear. Size height: 8cm width: 10 x 5cm Overall weight: 472g.

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Creator: Alfred Dunhill (Manufacturer)

Dimensions: Height: 3.2 in (8.13 cm)Width: 4.1 in (10.42 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)

Materials and Techniques: Acrylic

Place of Origin: United Kingdom

Period: 1950-1959

Date of Manufacture: 1950

Condition: Good

Seller Location: London, GB

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU5803224974272

Declaration

Bushells Antiques has dated this Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1219072
Dealers Notes

Opening hours:

Monday - Sunday 8.30 - 21.00 Seven Days.

By appointment only.

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, FREE DELIVERY TO MAINLAND UK

.

DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS : All items purchased from Bushell's Antiques are covered under the UK Distance Selling Regulations, which give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 7 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less RETURN transport costs.

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All items will be reserved for you while we wait for payment.

Description
A 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 chrome-plated lift-arm.
“
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.
Bushells Antiques

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. The lighter is marked "Dunhill" both to the arm and base, the base is also stamped "Dunhill Lighter". Serial number "REG. No 737418". In full working order, it dates to year 1950's. Aquarium lighters are extremely rare and collectable, in great condition. The silver plate is still very good with very minimal wear. Size height: 8cm width: 10 x 5cm Overall weight: 472g.

fig 1. A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism.
fig 1. Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950

See Less

Creator: Alfred Dunhill (Manufacturer)

Dimensions: Height: 3.2 in (8.13 cm)Width: 4.1 in (10.42 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)

Materials and Techniques: Acrylic

Place of Origin: United Kingdom

Period: 1950-1959

Date of Manufacture: 1950

Condition: Good

Seller Location: London, GB

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU5803224974272

Date of Manufacture

Bushells Antiques has dated this Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1219072
Bushells Antiques
Bushells Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020

Fine art, porcelain, jewellery, silver, clocks, pictures, oriental objects d’art and furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Bushells Antiques Profile Page

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A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism.
1 / 6
Archive I A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism.

Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950

Archive II A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism. View II
Archive III A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism. View III
Archive IV A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism. View IV
Archive V A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism. View V
Archive VI A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Bushells Antiques

Bushells Antiques
Telephone 0800 049 6228
Location
Westminster
London
WC2H
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bushellsantiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 485
Items Sold 309
Bushells Antiques
Bushells Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Westminster, London, WC2H, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bushellsantiques
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
485
Sold
309
A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism.
Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950
Ref: SA1219072
A mid-twentieth century Dunhill Aquarium half-giant table lighter featuring reverse-carved lucite panels with painted fish and a metal lift-arm mechanism.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Dunhill Aquarium table lighters are mechanical lighting accessories produced primarily during the mid-twentieth century, featuring acrylic resin panels reverse-carved and hand-painted with aquatic scenes.

These lighters were crafted using perspex or Lucite panels mounted onto metal bodies, typically rendered in gilt brass or silver-plated finishes with intricate internal hand-painted carvings.

Authentic pieces display crisp reverse-carving depth, makers marks or patents stamped on the metal mechanism base, and high-density Lucite panels without modern synthetic casting seams.

A vintage table lighter functions as a decorative sculpture on an executive desk, styled alongside leather-bound books, brass trays, or architectural stoneware.

Dust Lucite panels gently with a microfibre cloth and specialized acrylic cleaner, avoiding chemical solvents, while wiping metal mechanisms with a dry soft cloth to prevent tarnish.
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