How did people use an antique table cigar lighter?

These lighters sat on dining tables or in smoking rooms where gentlemen gathered after meals. Users would lift the piece or tilt the lamp to reach the flame for their cigars. The cotton wick absorbed liquid fuel, producing a steady flame that remained lit until the snuffer cap closed over the nozzle.

What fuels did these table lighters burn?

Period table lighters typically utilised lamp oil or lighter fluid to maintain a steady flame. The enclosed reservoir kept fuel contained within the metal or glass body. A fabric wick fed the flame from the internal reservoir up through the burner nozzle.

How do I identify the date of a silver lighter?

British silver pieces carry hallmarks stamped directly onto the metal surface. These tiny marks show the assay office, standard mark and a specific letter code for the year. Items lacking hallmarks rely on style, registered design numbers and maker marks to establish an approximate date.

Why are some lighters shaped like animals?

Victorian and Edwardian manufacturers embraced novelty designs to amuse guests during social gatherings. Animals such as frogs, snakes and hunting horns turned mundane smoking tools into conversation pieces. These whimsical objects reflect the broader Victorian appetite for imaginative decorative metalwork.