DUNHILL Paris 1929 Art Deco Petrol Desk Barley Tall Club Lighter In Solid .925 Sterling Silver

Desk club lighter designed by Alfred Dunhill

This rare antique desk lighter was created for the renowned luxury house Alfred Dunhill and retailed through its Paris boutique circa 1928–1930. It is an exceptional example of Dunhill’s celebrated “Unique” model, distinguished by the distinctive second-type curved lift arm and ingenious double flint-wheel ignition mechanism that characterized the firm’s innovative early petrol lighters. The lighter is conceived in a tall, elegant Art Deco form and was masterfully hand-crafted in Switzerland. The case is meticulously fashioned in solid .925/.999 sterling silver and decorated throughout with finely executed engine-turned barley guilloché. The richly textured linear engraving creates a sophisticated interplay of light across the surface, beautifully contrasting with the polished areas and emphasizing the lighter’s architectural geometry and elegant vertical proportions. The combination of precision Swiss engineering, sterling-silver construction, and Dunhill’s ingenious lift-arm ignition system makes this an unusually sophisticated example of an early twentieth-century luxury smoking accessory. Its streamlined silhouette and finely executed mechanical decoration perfectly embody the functional elegance of the Art Deco period, while reflecting the exceptional standards associated with Alfred Dunhill’s prestigious Paris establishment.

This example is particularly desirable for its rarity, superb eye appeal, and exceptional state of preservation. It remains in excellent condition, with no dents and only minimal evidence of careful use, retaining its crisp original engine-turned decoration and overall character. The mechanism has been recently gently cleaned and professionally serviced and is functioning properly. The lighter has intentionally not been highly polished, preserving its desirable antique patina and historical integrity.

Elegant, highly functional, and technically intriguing, this exceptional Alfred Dunhill “Unique” desk lighter represents a particularly desirable form of early Art Deco mechanical accessory. Its combination of Swiss craftsmanship, sterling silver, distinctive Dunhill engineering, and refined guilloché decoration makes it an outstanding collector’s piece and a superb example of the sophisticated luxury accessories produced for Dunhill during the late 1920s.

History

This classic petrol lift arm lighter model was introduced by Alfred Dunhill in 1929 and remained a very popular piece in the collection until the switch to gas in the 1960. This example is known as the 'Ball' lighter, for obvious reasons. The Ball was launched with a straight lift arm initially in 1928, and then with a curved lift arm in 1929. It was launched in two sizes and came in both sterling and in different carats of solid gold. The fabulous design of this piece allows it to always sit upright on a table, due to its weighted design. It appeared from 1929 up until 1933 in the Dunhill catalogues and was then removed form the offerings.

Country: Paris, France.

Period: Art-Deco, Circa-1929.

Model: Club table-desk lighter, with curved lift arm (second type) and double wheels system.

Materials: Engine turned barley pattern in polished .925 sterling silver. 

Weight: 134.60 Grams, (86.30 Dwt).

Measurements: H. 100 mm by L. 63.5 mm by D. 33 mm (3.94 x 2.50 x 1.30 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the maker's mark, the rectangular stamped-mark for the assay and warranty of the .925/.999 silver and signed in full, "ALFRED DUNHILL PARIS STERLING FAB. SUISSE PAT NO 143752".

Alfred Dunhill 

He inherited his father’s London saddlery in 1893. Following the increase in motor car ownership, Alfred developed the business to include motoring accessories, which he called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. This included goggles, timepieces, picnic sets, and leather coats, and it wasn’t long before the brand became associated with men’s general motoring attire. They opened two shops in Mayfair and had a catalogue of over 1300 items. Between the 1904 and 1905, Dunhill introduced their ‘Windshield Pipe’, to help drivers combat the effect of wind and travel on their ability to smoke. This marked both the end of the ‘motorities’ focus and their entry into the world of smoking ephemera, and they shortly opened their first tobacconist in 1907 on Duke Street. The proximity to several esteemed Private Members Clubs around the Mayfair, St James’ area ensured that the venture was a success. (From Nicholas Wells With Thanks).

Literature: Blei-Bottoni, The Dunhill Petrol Lighter "A Unique Story", Unique SRL 2004 first edition. Figure-359 Pp-198 for this model in sterling silver Illustrated.

Note: This Dunhill-Club desk 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 Dunhill-Club 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: D100126SCEN/3.990