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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA740122
FOR SALE
£6,500
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A 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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A Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter Circa.1950

1920 - 1940
Description

An 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 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 manifacture 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

Physical Dimensions
Height
8.5cm (3.35")
Width
10.5cm (4.13")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Declaration

Bushells Antiques has dated this Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA740122
Dealers Internal Reference
4674
Dealers Notes

Opening hours:

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By appointment only.

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, FREE DELIVERY TO MAINLAND UK

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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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Description
An 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 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 manifacture 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

Height
8.5cm (3.35")
Width
10.5cm (4.13")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Date of Manufacture

Bushells Antiques has dated this Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA740122
Dealers Internal Ref
4674
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-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism.
1 / 10
Archive I A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism.

A Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter Circa.1950

Archive II A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View II
Archive III A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View III
Archive IV A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View IV
Archive V A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View V
Archive VI A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View VI
Archive VII A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View VII
Archive VIII A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View VIII
Archive IX A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View IX
Archive X A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism. View X
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 495
Items Sold 298
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
495
Sold
298
A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism.
A RARE VINTAGE HALF GIANT DUNHILL AQUARIUM TABLE LIGHTER CIRCA.1950
Ref: SA740122
A mid-century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter featuring transparent acrylic panels reverse-carved with angelfish and aquatic plants beneath a silver-toned lift-arm mechanism.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

A Dunhill Aquarium table lighter is a mid-twentieth-century tobacciana accessory produced predominantly during the 1950s, featuring Lucite or Perspex panels reverse-carved and hand-painted with aquatic scenes attached to a metal lighter mechanism.

These lighters are constructed using clear acrylic resin panels, commercially known as Lucite or Perspex, mounted onto silver-plated or chrome-plated metal lift-arm lighting mechanisms.

Authentic examples feature detailed internal reverse-carving within the acrylic, stamped manufacturer marks on the upper metal arm mechanism, and substantial mechanical weight.

A vintage table lighter functions as a decorative accent on an office desk, coffee table, or bookshelf alongside books, trays, and metalwork accessories.

Dust acrylic surfaces gently with a soft microfibre cloth to prevent scratching, avoid chemical solvents, and maintain metal elements using non-abrasive polishes.
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