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Dunhill Aviary Lighters information and price guide

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Following our feature on the Dunhill Aquarium Lighters we take a look at the specific avian examples of these fabulous designs with a Dunhill Aviary Lighters information and price guide. As the name ‘Aviary’ suggests, these designs focused on birds, akin to the fish featured in the ‘Aquarium’ series. They are less common than the fish examples and it is these non-aquatic aquariums which are becoming increasingly collectable and valuable.

Dunhill Aviary Lighter featuring a grebe
Dunhill Aviary Lighter featuring a grebe. Electroplated chrome mounts, four Lucite panels, each deeply engraved in reverse intaglio technique and hand-painted to create a three-dimensional effect, the front and reverse panels each depicting a Grebe, one in black, white and hints of red and pink, with a small fish in its beak, on a vibrant blue watery ground, the opposite side, the Grebe in black, white purple, among flowering lily pads, the end panels depict water plants, underside filler screw cap inscribed ‘DUNHILL LIGHTER’, base stamped MADE IN ENGLAND. Sold for £3,800 at Bonhams, February 2022.

The first Dunhill Aquarium Lighters appeared in 1949. These exquisite lighters are made from lucite, a synthetic acrylic resin developed in the 1930s as a glass alternative. Distinguished by its transparency, longevity, and resistance to yellowing, lucite found its perfect application in these lighters, echoing the detailed beauty found in jewellery. The lighter’s structure is brought to life through hand-carved panels using reverse intaglio techniques.

Dunhill Aviary Lighter featuring blue tits
Dunhill Aviary Lighter featuring blue tits. Electroplated mounts, engraved and painted Perspex body, one side depicting two Blue tits in yellow and blue, perched on a branch with pink blossoming flowers, the opposite side with a single songbird, similarly perching. Sold for £11,250 at Bonhams, June 2013.

The panels are painstakingly painted before being attached to the lighter bodies in four distinct sections. The uniqueness of each Dunhill Aviary lighter lies in the fact that every piece is individually hand-carved and painted. The leading artist behind many of these exceptional lighters was Ben Shillingford, later succeeded by the talented husband-and-wife duo, Margaret and Allan Bennett. Other notable designers include C J M Whinney.

The fine example below featuring pink wading birds and a white Egret by Margaret Bennett sold for £13,000 at Chiswick Auctions in January 2023.

Birds featured on known examples include owls, wading birds, birds of paradise, blue tits, songbirds, budgerigars and grebes. The bird depictions are intricately painted amidst trees and foliage, or on water,  creating a vibrant tableau on the lighters’ exterior.

Small Dunhill Aviary Lighter featuring budgerigar perched on branch
Small Dunhill Aviary Lighter featuring budgerigar perched on branch. Sold for £2,750 at Bonhams, June 2015.

The Aviary series lighters are available in four sizes: standard, giant, service, and half-giant, and come in three metal finishes: gold-plated, silver-plated, and chromium-plated gold. The giant versions are particularly coveted due to their detailed intricacy, but each size and style has its own allure for collectors.

The example below sold for £6,100 on ebay, May 2013.

In summary, Dunhill’s Aviary lighters embody the perfect amalgamation of luxury, craftsmanship, and practicality. With every lighter telling a unique story, they are a testament to Dunhill’s dedication to unparalleled excellence. They are more than just functional objects; they are collectors’ treasures that bridge the gap between art and utility, passed down through generations, much like the brand itself.

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Dunhill Aquarium Lighters information and price guide


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