Annemarie Davidson Ghostline Enamel and Wood Lighter and Box

This striking enamel and wood lighter by Annamarie Davidson exemplifies the bold innovation and craftsmanship of mid-century modern design. Radiating with dynamic energy, this design features a mesmerizing composition of raised shapes in vibrant blues, gold and aquas. The rays of color pulse from the center outward, dramatically set against a richly textured field of radiating over a vivid electric blue enamel ground. Annemarie's signature dimensionality and meticulous surface treatment is present here and it create a luminous, almost cosmic effect on the lighter—an exceptional example of Davidson’s signature style.

The box is long and cigarette shaped. It can be used as a catch all or a keepsake box.

Annamarie Davidson was a pivotal figure in the American studio enamel movement during the mid-20th century. Working primarily in the 1950s and 60s, Davidson was part of a wave of California-based artists who elevated enameling from a craft tradition to a fine art form. Her work is celebrated for its rich color palettes, playful abstraction, and masterful command of vitreous enamel on copper. Each piece is not only a testament to her technical skill but also to her ability to harmonize modernist aesthetics with expressive, organic forms.

As mid-century modern design sought to integrate art into everyday life, Davidson's enamelware—functional yet visually arresting—embodied that ethos perfectly. This plate is more than decorative; it is a radiant artifact from a revolutionary design era, and a fine addition to any collection of mid-century art, ceramics, or design.

Add a rare and radiant piece of Mid-Century Modern art to your collection with this vintage enamel and wood lighter by Anna Marie Davidson, a celebrated California studio enamelist of the 1950s and 60s. Known for her bold use of color and modernist design, Davidson’s work is highly sought after by collectors of mid-century decorative arts and studio enamelware.

This wooden and enamel lighter features a brilliant composition of raised, biomorphic form in vibrant blue, gold and aqua, radiating from the center like a sunburst. The intricate pattern of incised copper lines layered beneath a deep cobalt blue enamel creates mesmerizing depth and texture. This handcrafted piece exemplifies Davidson’s mastery of vitreous enamel on copper, a signature technique that defines her best work.

Annamarie Davidson was a pioneering female artist in the American mid-century studio enamel movement, contributing to the broader Modernist effort to bring fine art into everyday life. Her work bridges the gap between decorative object and fine art sculpture, and her unique style continues to influence modern ceramic and enamel artists today.

Perfect as a collector's item or a statement piece for a modern interior, this enamel and wood lighter is both functional art and a timeless conversation piece.

Details:

Artist: Anna Marie Davidson (Makers mark on bottom)

Era: 1950s–1960s

Medium: Vitreous enamel on copper

Lighter Dimensions: 4.5"H x 2.25"W x 2.25"D

Box Dimensions: 1.75"H x 3.75"W x 9.5"L

Condition: Excellent vintage condition with vivid color and rich patina

Origin: California, United States

Bring home a stunning example of Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship with this original Anna Marie Davidson enamel and wood lighter—a true gem of 20th-century American design.