S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 Dual Flame – Tortoise Laque de Chine, 1980s
A vintage S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 lighter from the 1980s, finished in a tortoise-pattern laque de chine with gold-plated edges and fitted with a dual flame — a striking piece of French luxury craftsmanship, complete with its original box.
S.T. Dupont has been synonymous with luxury craftsmanship since 1872, when the maison began as a Paris leather workshop for fine goods, later extending its expertise to lighters, pens and lacquerware favoured by aristocracy and collectors alike. The Ligne 2, introduced in 1977 as the brand's larger flagship model, is best known for its signature “cling” when the cap closes; on this particular piece the ping is present but on the softer side.
This example is finished in laque de chine, S.T. Dupont's signature hand-applied lacquer technique rooted in centuries-old Chinese lacquer artistry, built up in dozens of layers over several weeks for a depth and shine no factory paint can match. The pattern here is the tortoise variant — a mottled, lighter brown finish reminiscent of tortoiseshell — bordered by gold-plated edges that frame the lacquer beautifully. The lighter has been fitted with a dual flame, comes with its original box, and has been serviced and is in perfect working order.