Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Jun 28, 2020

LOT 393

DUNHILL/NAMIKI, TIGER CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER SET, FORMER PROPERTY OF MAHARAJAH HARI SINGH, 18K GOLD

CHF 30,000 - 50,000

HKD 240,000 - 400,000 / USD 30,000 - 50,000

A very fine and possibly unique set of Dunhill/Namiki cigarette case and lighter, 18K gold.


Grading System
Grade:

Brand Dunhill Namiki

Year Circa 1930

Signature Cigarette case and lighter

Accessories Original fitted box

Notes

This is an exquisite 1930's Dunhill cigarette lighter and cigarette case set belonged to Maharajah Hari Singh of India. Mr. Singh was India's last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. His reign was from 1925 until mid 1949. Both lighter and cigarette case are 18kt gold, and hand painted with fabulous Japanese Namiki lacquer. The artist is "Haru', and the cigarette case is dated 1930. This date has led to speculation that there may be a correlation to the British Coronation of 1937. Perhaps the Maharajah commissioned Dunhill for this set for the celebration. Mr. Singh may have given this set to someone as a gift, or simply wanted it for himself. This is the only known example of Namiki lacquer on a solid gold Dunhill lighter we have seen. Previously, and more often we have seen Dunhill use Namiki on their sterling silver, and more often their silver plated lighters but never on a solid gold lighter. Namiki lacquer is seen on fountain pens and other various items, wonderfully captures the Japanese talent of transforming scenes of nature into art. While Namiki art normally depicts trees, birds and flowers, we don't see tigers in the wild as shown here, commonplace in India. India has long been known for its love of the tiger, and concern for their declining population. In 2010, they established "International Tiger Day". The hope was to bring awareness to the tiger's beauty and decline, and to hopefully increase their population. In 2010 there were only 1700 tigers counted in India. In 2014 this increased to 2000, and today in 2019 there are currently 3000 in five Nature Preserves. An important one of a kind Alfred Dunhill set, with historical importance. This beautiful and extremely rare set will be described and illustrated in the world's foremost Namiki expert, Mr. Maz Farouki's upcoming Namiki book. The book is due for release in 2020.