EVANS 1930 Art-Deco Enameled Desk Lighter In .925 Sterling With Planes
An art-deco desk lighter designed by Evans
This exceptionally rare petrol desk lighter was created in the United States by the Evans Case Company circa 1929–1930, during the height of the Art Deco era. Masterfully crafted in solid .925 sterling silver with a rich polished finish, the lighter is decorated with finely engraved Art Deco motifs and embellished with striking depictions of flying airplanes, highlighted with vibrant black and green enamel accents. The aviation-inspired decoration reflects the fascination with flight and modern technology that defined the late 1920s, making this an exceptional example of period design.
Designed in an elegant conical form, this sculptural desk lighter combines refined craftsmanship with bold Art Deco styling, serving as both a functional accessory and an impressive decorative object. It remains in fully working condition, having been professionally cleaned, polished, and tested while preserving its crisp engraving, vibrant enamels, and outstanding overall appearance.
The lighter incorporates the celebrated Evans Roller Bearing semi-automatic ignition system, one of the company's most innovative mechanical achievements. Named for its remarkably smooth roller-bearing action, the mechanism employs a sophisticated single-motion 1:1 operating system in which the rotating thumb lever simultaneously raises the snuffer cap and engages a toothed drive arm against the flint wheel to produce a spark, igniting the fuel-soaked wick in one effortless movement. This ingenious mechanism distinguished Evans as one of the leading American manufacturers of luxury lighters during the Art Deco period.
Today, the Evans Roller Bearing is admired for its precision engineering, mechanical reliability, and timeless streamlined design. This extraordinarily scarce aviation-themed desk lighter is among the rarest Evans models encountered, with few comparable examples known. Its exceptional state of preservation, innovative engineering, striking enamel decoration, and remarkable eye appeal make it a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of Art Deco silver, vintage lighters, aviation memorabilia, and twentieth-century decorative arts.
History of the Evans Case Company
The Evans Case Company was established in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and became one of America's most distinguished manufacturers of luxury smoking accessories and personal accessories during the twentieth century. Initially recognized for producing elegant powder compacts, vanity cases, cigarette cases, and other novelty items, the company rapidly earned an international reputation for its exceptional craftsmanship, intricate engine-turning, colorful enamelwork, and innovative mechanical designs. By the late 1930s, Evans had become one of the world's leading producers of luxury lighters, competing directly with companies such as Ronson and Dunhill. Evans introduced its first petrol lighter in 1927, following the grant of its pioneering patent. These earliest manually operated models are commonly referred to by collectors as "Lift-Arm" lighters, a descriptive nickname rather than an official factory designation. Their ingenious mechanism employs a manually raised arm that simultaneously opens the snuffer cap and engages the flint wheel to ignite the wick. Produced in a remarkable variety of precious metal finishes, engine-turned patterns, engraved motifs, and enamel decorations, these early lighters are among the most desirable creations of the Art Deco period.
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Evans continued to refine its mechanical designs, introducing the celebrated Roller Bearing mechanism, prized for its exceptionally smooth single-motion operation and precision engineering. Following the company's expansion in the late 1930s, Evans introduced fully automatic lighters that ignited upon opening the lid, further cementing its reputation as one of the industry's most innovative manufacturers.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Evans broadened its production to include an impressive range of sculptural and novelty table lighters, including figural tankards, genie lamps, and ceramic collaborations with Royal Doulton. Although the company's lighter designs prompted a well-known patent dispute with Ronson due to similarities in their mechanisms, Evans ultimately secured licensing rights and continued to produce some of the finest and most collectible American lighters of the twentieth century. Today, Evans lighters are celebrated for their outstanding Art Deco styling, mechanical ingenuity, and exceptional quality of manufacture, making them highly sought after by collectors of vintage lighters, American industrial design, and luxury smoking accessories.
Country: Attleboro, Massachusetts, United States.
Period: Art-Deco, 1929-1932.
Model: Roller Bearing system.
Material: Polished .925 Sterling silver, with green and black enamel.
Weight: 101.95 Grams, (65.40 Dwt).
Measurements: H. 66 mm by Diameter 66 mm (2.6 x 2.6 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay and warranty of the .925/.999 silver, "EVANS ROLLER BEARING INTERNATIONAL STERLING 326".
Note: This Evans table lighter is empty of any flammable, gas or butane substances and is ready to be ship by any carrier. This lighter just need a new flint and proper lighter fluid. Was tested and is in working condition.
Condition: The overall condition of this Evans desk lighter is excellent. Beside the little normal wear there is no damage to the silver and is in working-display condition. All parts are secured in the settings. This piece was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D072026RENL/3.022
