NEW YORK — Smoking has largely gone out of fashion, but demand for vintage and antique pipes, ashtrays, and related paraphernalia has remained smoking hot. Among the pieces driving the market for these collectibles are a variety of lighter produced in the previous century by the British luxury goods firm Alfred Dunhill.
Known as Aquarium lighters, most were too chunky and too exquisite to be concealed in a coat or pants pocket. Gloriously detailed, Dunhill’s Aquarium lighters were meant to sit on a table, sideboard, or shelf and delight the eye when they weren’t being pressed into service.
“Dunhill Aquarium lighters are really admired by collectors because they combine art, history, and practicality in a way that’s hard to match. Each one was hand-painted by Ben Shillingford, a master craftsman, making every lighter with their detailed, vibrant scenes a miniature work of art,” said Simon Baranoff, co-founder of Capsule Auctions in New York City. “Collectors love them not just as fancy smoking accessories, but also as cultural icons and valuable investments that capture the craftsmanship and style of a past era.”
Dunhill Aquarium lighters were made from carved and painted Lucite adorned with metal mounts, and often featured painted images of tropical fish rendered by Shillingford, the firm’s master engraver, and his team. Margaret and Allan Bennett, a husband-and-wife duo, were but two of the artists who made these luxe objects by hand. After a design was approved, Margaret would sketch the scene in pencil and watercolor, and Allan would hand-carve the panels.
The detail work in the underwater scenes was precise; the panels were hand-carved with reverse intaglios using dentist tools and drills. An example displaying black and white angelfish shows the level of artistry involved. It made $4,100 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2024 at Capsule Auctions.
Dunhill made Aquarium lighters in four sizes: Giant, Half Giant, Standard, and Service. No two examples were exactly the same. A pleasing circa-1950 lighter in a standard size — approximately 3 1/4 by 4 by 2 inches — brought $4,800 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2024 at Toomey & Co. Auctioneers.
The Service size was the smallest of the four. One circa-1950s example featuring a school of reddish-pink fish made £3,200 ($4,230) plus the buyer’s premium in March 2024 at Hannam’s Auctioneers. It measured about 3 inches by 1 by 2 inches.
Aquarium lighters also came in three different finishes: gold-plated, silver-plated, and chrome-plated. One fish-themed lighter with a gold-plated finish brought $3,600 plus the buyer’s premium in June 2024 at Capsule Auctions.
While health campaigns have succeeded in tamping down the once-inescapable worldwide habit of smoking tobacco, collectors’ cravings for these lighters has only blazed brighter.
“Collectors of Dunhill Aquarium lighters are particularly drawn to the intricate, hand-painted scenes depicting detailed aquatic environments,” Baranoff said. “While fish designs are the most iconic, lighters featuring rarer subjects like birds or other unique scenes are even more coveted.” The more complex and detailed the design, the more valuable it becomes, especially if it includes uncommon species or vivid backgrounds, he added.
Some of the later works from Shillingford’s studio were embellished with the help of the Bennetts, and the designs became even more vibrant. “Larger sizes and luxurious finishes also add to a lighter’s appeal and make it even more collectible,” he said.
A circa-1950 fox hunting-themed lighter proves Baranoff’s point. On the front panel, a hunter wearing a bright red jacket is pictured in a field astride his steed, while the other side shows a foxhound in hot pursuit. This lighter secured $5,000 plus the buyer’s premium in July 2024 at Toomey & Co. Auctioneers.
Lucite may not seem like a typical medium for a cherished antique, but it was widely used in mid-century modern furniture, jewelry, and handbags, as well as in Dunhill Aquarium lighters. Dupont invented Lucite, an acrylic, in 1931, and companies embraced it when World War II restricted the use of more traditional materials. Dunhill chose it because it was shatterproof, easy to carve, transparent, and not apt to turn yellow with age.
Dunhill introduced the Aquarium lighter in 1949 and offered it until 1959, when Shillingford retired. The short production window increases its desirability.
“Lucite objects from the mid-20th century are definitely still in high demand among collectors. Although they might not be as common as some other vintage materials, Lucite’s distinctive look and nostalgic charm make it especially appealing,” Baranoff said. “Its unique aesthetic and the retro vibe it carries ensures that these pieces are highly prized in today’s market.”
Most fish-themed Aquarium lighters sell for about $4,000, but ones with birds or other species can bring more, nearing and even exceeding $10,000. They have long been collectible and typically perform well above their conservative estimates. Flying past its $3,000-$5,000 estimate was a large lighter decorated with parrots that secured $7,500 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2020 at Clarke Auction Gallery.
Dunhill Aquarium lighters have stood the test of time and remained popular for far longer than the ten year-span in which they were produced. “Table lighters, with their robust flame and elegant design, are ideal for toasting a cigar, ensuring an even light while adding a touch of sophistication to the ritual. Their practicality as everyday tools enhances their value, making them both functional and collectible,” Baranoff said.
“With smoking and cigar culture having a global appeal, high-quality lighters like the Dunhill models are cherished not just for their elegance but also for their cultural significance,” he said. “Collectors appreciate that these lighters aren’t just for display; they can be actively used and maintained, blending form and function in a way that adds a layer of personal engagement to any collection.”
