Dunhill, Vintage Aquarium Lift Arm Table Lighter

England, circa 1950, hand-carved and hand-painted lucite with metal mounts, underside stamped patent "MADE IN ENGLAND / PATENT NO 143752" lobed form blown-glass with underwater scenic design with fish in habitat, embossed "DUNHILL" mark to the lift arm.

2 3/4 in.

From the Estate of the late Jean Bainbridge, Halifax, Virginia

Lucite was developed in World War II and used by the United States and Royal Air Forces as an alternative to glass. Markedly lucite would not shatter when under fire and was thus in particularly high demand for airplane windshields, bomber noses, and submarine periscopes among other uses. Following the war, the lucite stock that remained found its way into artists studios, designers workshops and jewelry makers.

Some spotting to metal; still producing spark when tested; one side glass with two vertical hairlines. some scratches to metal and staining to crevices.