.: Dunhill Silent Flame Table Lighter c.1935 :.

The model is called "fan dancer" or "Sally Rand". The improved "Silent Flame" lighter mechanism was invented and patented by Irving Florman in 1935 in the USA. The invention was known as the electric cigar lighter "of the type wherein a wick is ignited through the heat of an electrical resistance element". Below are instructions on how to use such lighter. It applies to all Silent Flame Lighters made by Parker of London, Dunhill etc.

The lighter takes two batteries. The lighting stick is filled up with lighter fluid. To light, rest the lightning stick upon the metal railing around the top of the lighter, at the same time touch the protruding point of the lightning stick against the metal figure in the center of the lighter so as to make contact.

These are the Parker (right) and Dunhill (left) versions of the fan dancer (or Sally Rand) model. The Parker version shows the figure with a square base. In contrast, the Dunhill version shows the figure with a round base. The Parker silent flame fan dancer model came in 3 variations: chrome figure on a black base, chrome figure on a brown base, and gold figure on a brown base with gold rails. The Dunhill silent flame dancer model also came in a copper finish on a brown base.
(source: http://www.collectorkevin.com/lighters.htm)