AN AQUARIUM LIGHTER, ALFRED DUNHILL LTD., LONDON, 1950s

AN 'AQUARIUM' LIGHTER, ALFRED DUNHILL LTD., LONDON, 1950s shaped oblong, the four lucite panels reverse intaglio carved and painted with silver fish swimming above rocks and below plants against a green shaded ground painted with further frondy plants, gilt-metal hardware, the snuffer arm with 'Dunhill' panel, underside stamped MADE IN ENGLAND, 7 x 5.8cm Dunhill launced the Aquarium range of lighters in 1949, using stocks of lucite left over from the war, production ceasing in 1959. Each lighter was unique, painted to the back of the intaglios, carved using dental tools and drills, all initially by Ben Shillingford (1904-2000) who was then joined by the husband and wife team, Allan and Margaret Bennett.