S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 Grand Modèle — Rouge Cloisonné Laque de Chine, With Box
A vintage S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 in the full-size Grand Modèle, finished in red Chinese lacquer over a gold cloisonné lattice, offered in its original red S.T. Dupont box.
S.T. Dupont produced its first luxury lighter in 1941, and the Ligne 2 introduced in 1977 became the model the maison is known for. This is one of the more labour-intensive finishes it ever put on that case. Cloisonné means compartments: fine metal wires are laid onto the body to form a pattern — here a diamond trellis running corner to corner — and the lacquer is then built up in the cells between them, coat after coat, until it sits level with the gold. The wires are not drawn on top of the finish; they are part of its structure, which is why the lattice stays perfectly crisp where a printed or etched pattern would have softened.
The result is a lighter that reads quite differently from a plain lacquer piece. Rarely have I gotten so many compliments on a lighter when I posted it in an online forum for collectors. The red is contained inside the lattice rather than allowed to swirl, so the finish looks ordered and architectural, and the gold lines catch the light in a grid as the lighter turns. On the Grand Modèle's broad faces the trellis has room to repeat properly, which is where the pattern earns its keep.
The lighter is in excellent vintage condition. The lattice is sharp and unbroken across both faces and the lacquer is free of chips or major scratches that would deface its striking appearance.
It comes in its original red S.T. Dupont box with the cream interior. The lighter and box only — no papers or lacquer certificate with this example.