Details
Description
A striking piece of vintage studio art pottery rendered in a rich cobalt blue glaze. This sculptural ceramic ashtray features …
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A striking piece of vintage studio art pottery rendered in a rich cobalt blue glaze. This sculptural ceramic ashtray features an organic, biomorphic form with three integrated wells and flowing contours that make it read more like a decorative object than a traditional smoking accessory. Signed “ERM” on the underside, the piece displays beautiful tonal variations and speckled depth in the glaze, giving it strong visual presence on a coffee table, console, or desk. At 13 inches across, it works equally well as a catchall dish for keys, jewelry, or small objects, or simply as a sculptural decorative accent.
Full Description
This vintage studio art pottery ashtray showcases a wonderfully sculptural, organic design finished in a luminous cobalt blue glaze. The asymmetrical form features three rounded receptacles and gently flowing edges that create a dynamic, almost biomorphic silhouette. The glaze exhibits beautiful tonal variation—from deep navy to lighter cobalt highlights—with subtle speckling and pooling that emphasize the hand-crafted nature of the piece.
Measuring an impressive 13 inches wide and 13 inches deep, this piece has strong visual impact and reads as a decorative art object rather than a simple ashtray. The underside is signed “ERM,” indicating studio origin, and the base features a raised center foot with three supporting legs, giving the piece both stability and sculptural elevation.
While originally designed as an ashtray, it works beautifully as a modern catchall for keys, jewelry, or small desk objects, or simply as a striking sculptural accent on a coffee table, console, or bookshelf. The vibrant cobalt glaze pairs particularly well with walnut, brass, stone, and modern interiors.
A wonderful example of late 20th century studio pottery with bold color, expressive form, and collectible handmade character.
Why We Love It
• Beautiful cobalt blue glaze with organic tonal variation
• Sculptural biomorphic form typical of studio pottery
• Signed by the artist (“ERM”) on the underside
• Substantial 13-inch size with strong visual presence
• Works equally well as an ashtray, catchall, or decorative art object
Measurements
Width: 13 in
Depth: 13 in
Height: 4 in
Condition Report
Excellent vintage condition. The piece shows no chips, cracks, scratches, or visible wear. The glaze is vibrant and intact throughout, and the underside signature remains clear and legible. The ashtray appears to have been very lightly used or possibly never used as an ashtray.
SEO Tags
studio pottery, studio art pottery, cobalt blue pottery, sculptural ceramic ashtray, signed studio pottery, ERM pottery, mid century style pottery, organic modern decor, sculptural ceramic catchall, vintage cobalt ceramic dish, decorative pottery bowl, modern ceramic centerpiece, biomorphic pottery, handmade pottery decor
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- Dimensions
- 13ʺW × 13ʺD × 4ʺH
- Styles
- Mid-Century Modern
- Period
- Mid 20th Century
- Country of Origin
- United States
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Ceramic
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Blue
- Condition Notes
- This piece is in excellent vintage condition. The ceramic body is structurally sound with no chips, cracks, repairs, or structural … moreThis piece is in excellent vintage condition. The ceramic body is structurally sound with no chips, cracks, repairs, or structural damage observed. The cobalt glaze remains glossy and vibrant throughout, with no scratches, abrasions, or visible surface wear. The sculptural edges and cigarette rests are smooth and intact with no impact marks or glaze loss. The underside foot ring is clean and stable, and the artist signature “ERM” remains clearly visible and well preserved. Notably, the interior surfaces show no residue, staining, or discoloration typically associated with use as an ashtray, suggesting the piece was either very lightly used or likely displayed primarily as a decorative object. Overall presentation is exceptionally clean and well preserved for a piece of this era. Pieces such as this emerged from the broader studio pottery movement of the 1960s and 1970s, when ceramic artists increasingly explored sculptural and expressive forms beyond strictly utilitarian pottery. Influenced by modernist design, organic abstraction, and the growing craft movement, studio potters began producing functional objects—such as bowls, vessels, and ashtrays—that also served as sculptural art pieces. Rich experimental glazes, especially deep cobalt blues like this example, became popular during the period as artists pushed glaze chemistry and kiln techniques to achieve dramatic tonal variation and surface depth. The biomorphic form and expressive glazing seen here are characteristic of that era’s studio modern ceramic work, where handmade individuality and sculptural presence were central to the aesthetic. As a result, pieces like this are often collected today not only as functional objects but also as examples of mid-century studio craft and decorative art. less
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