DATE: Art Deco, c.1920

Amazing 1920s pocket flint striker pendant by German manufacturer Pirona. It's formed as a book with four fine blue enamel lines down the front and a jump ring for wear as a pendant (or probably intended on a vest pocket chain. The striker can be removed from the top and when the carbon steel tip is struck against the flint strip (between the two covers) it produces a spark. The advantage over matches? Reusable over (in this case) many decades. Extremely reliable. Works in wet conditions. It's made of alpacca nickel silver and remains in good working condition. Pirona were an important manufacturer of figural striker lighters during the first half of the 20th century, but they also produced a wide range of goods including motorcycles, footballs, zeppelins, and violins. 

MEASUREMENTS 

Book: 3.7 x 2.5 x 0.8cm (not including jump ring)

Striker: 4.5 x 0.6cm

WEIGHT 

24.8g

MARKS 

Stamped ALPACCA and PIRONA

CONDITION 

Very good, enamel is pristine. The flint has wear commensurate with age and use but it's not going to run out any time soon