Lighter

MakerPorcelain made by The Hartford Faience Co. founded 1895

MakerLighter made by Evans Case Co. American, 1922 - 1960

Original OwnerOriginally owned by George Douglas Rankin Jr. American

Dateabout 1960

MediumMold-formed porcelain with a brown glaze, leather, gilding, and cast brass

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x diameter): 3 5/8 x 2 1/2in. (9.2 x 6.4cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineGift of Margaret Rankin

DescriptionRound lighter consisting of a holder made of porcelain with an opaque brown glaze and a lighting mechanism made of brass. The holder is a round, hollow, porcelain column with horizontally ribbed sides. The brass lighter fits snugly inside the porcelain column. The lighter has a sleek, shell-shaped handle, which, when pressed down, caused the lighter mechanism to lift up and produce a flame. The underside of the brass lighter has two screws, intended to enable the owner to refill the fluid. One of those screws is labeled "EVANS/ FUEL". The bottom of the porcelain has an attached portion of a circular, leather piece with a stamped and gilded advertisement for the Hartford Faience Company.

There is a minor amount of dirt on the brass lighter. Portions of the leather advertisement on the bottom of the porcelain have fallen off.

Object number1986.160.39

MarkingsThe underside of the lighter has two screws, one of which is labeled "EVANS/ FUEL". The bottom of the porcelain has an attached portion of a circular, leather piece with a stamped and gilded advertisement for the Hartford Faience Company. Some of the leather has detached, so the remaining portions of the advertisement state "THE HART/ QUALITY ELECTRICAL PORCELAIN".NotesHistorical Note: George Douglas Rankin, the donor's father, was the President of the Hartford Faience Company in Hartford, Connecticut.

Historical Note: This is said to have been made from molds taken of the doorknobs at Trinity College.

Subject Terms