Vintage Hobo Clown Smoking Head Ashtray – Hand-Painted Ceramic – Japan / Occupied Japan

Details

Description

This vintage ceramic smoking head ashtray features a whimsical hobo / clown grotesque face with exaggerated facial features, an open … Read more This vintage ceramic smoking head ashtray features a whimsical hobo / clown grotesque face with exaggerated facial features, an open mouth, and expressive eyes. Hand-painted in warm tan, white, red, and teal tones, the piece exemplifies the playful novelty ceramics produced in Japan for export during the mid-20th century.
The deep open mouth is characteristic of classic smoking head ashtrays, originally designed to hold ash and cigarettes, while the sculptural form and caricatured expression make it equally appealing as a decorative object. Its compact size makes it ideal for display on shelves, desks, bar carts, or in curated vintage collections.
A charming and collectible example of Japanese novelty ceramics, well suited for collectors of tobacciana, mid-century décor, or whimsical figural objects.
Estimated Year of Manufacture: Circa late 1940s–early 1950s.
Japan / Occupied Japan period
Dimensions
• Height: 3 1/2 in
• Length: 4 1/4 in
• Width: 3 1/8 in
• Weight: 5 oz
Vintage Ashtray
Smoking Head
Hobo Head
Clown Ashtray
Occupied Japan
Made in Japan
Mid Century Novelty
Ceramic Tobacciana
Figural Ceramic
Collectible Decor See less