Vintage 1950’s Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter

A true icon of post-war British luxury, this vintage 1950's Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship and imaginative artistry for which Alfred Dunhill was renowned. Designed as a functional work of art for the discerning gentleman, these lighters were cherished by collectors and adorned the desks of the elite—including the most famous owner of all, Sir Winston Churchill.

Each lighter is a unique, hand-engraved masterpiece created by Ben Shillingford, the master engraver behind Dunhill’s legendary Aquarium series. The striking scenes of exotic fish and lush aquatic vegetation are reverse-carved and delicately hand-painted on Lucite panels, producing an illusion of depth and movement that brings each underwater vignette to life.

Encased in a high-polished chrome body and featuring Dunhill's classic lift-arm mechanism, this table lighter is not merely a conversation piece but a statement of cultivated taste. These lighters were never mass-produced; each one was handcrafted and therefore completely one-of-a-kind.

Today, the Dunhill Aquarium Lighter stands as a rare collector’s item, a tangible relic of luxury and sophistication from a golden era of design.

Features

• One-of-a-Kind Collector’s Piece – An original Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter from the 1950's
• Hand-Carved Lucite Panels – Each side is reverse-carved and hand-painted, producing a vivid three-dimensional underwater scene  with chrome-plated brass hardware.
• Front Artwork – Features a pair of vibrant tropical fish swimming amidst lush aquatic foliage and rock formations, rendered with extraordinary depth and detail.
• Rear Artwork – Showcases a single copper-hued fish gliding gracefully through a kelp-like underwater garden, framed by intricate rock textures.
• Chrome-Plated Hardware – Topped with polished chrome and Dunhill’s signature lift-arm ignition, combining elegance with functionality.
• Mechanical Flame Operation – Classic flint-wheel mechanism powered by lighter fluid, as originally designed in the 1950s.
• Signed Base – The bottom plate is engraved with Alfred Dunhill branding, denoting authenticity and heritage.
  
• Crafted in the United Kingdom – A true testament to British craftsmanship and heritage.

Dimensions

• 9.6 cm x 7 cm x 5.7 cm
  

PLEASE NOTE:

All of our Dunhill lighters are tested before being packed and are shipped with Signature Required for delivery.