Ligne 1 lighter. S.T. DUPONT, France, ca. 1970

Ligne 1 lighter. S.T. DUPONT, France, ca. 1970.
Gold-plated metal with Point de Diamant guilloché decoration.
Signed “S.T. Dupont Paris” on the base.
Comes with its original case.
In good overall condition, with slight signs of use.
Measurements: 5.5 × 4 × 1 cm; 2 × 10 × 7 cm (case).

Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló.
Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935).

Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance.
The distinctive geometric guilloché pattern and the sleek rectangular shape identify this lighter as part of S.T. Dupont’s iconic Ligne 1 collection, one of the French manufacturer’s most recognizable designs from the second half of the 20th century. The entire surface is adorned with the “Point de Diamant” motif, whose relief of small facets multiplies the reflections of the gold finish, while the fluted ignition wheel is integrated into the side of the case.

Founded by Simon Tissot Dupont in Paris in 1872, S.T. Dupont began its journey in the field of luxury leather goods before adding lighters to its product line. The company introduced its first luxury lighter in 1941 and, over the following decades, made this type of item one of its hallmarks. The Ligne 1 gained particular prominence in the 1960s as a prestigious accessory and diplomatic gift.