Mid-Century Italian Architectural Silver-Plated Woven Metal Ashtray, 1960s

Details

Description

An exceptional Italian mid-century ashtray or vide-poche, distinguished by its architectural presence and refined craftsmanship, dating from the 1960s.

Entirely … Read more An exceptional Italian mid-century ashtray or vide-poche, distinguished by its architectural presence and refined craftsmanship, dating from the 1960s.

Entirely executed in silver-plated metal, the piece is composed of a substantial square top with a precisely recessed circular basin, resting on a sculptural openwork body. The sides are formed from meticulously hand-woven metal bands, creating a striking interplay of structure, rhythm, and light.

This woven construction, combined with the purity of its geometric form, reflects the sophisticated decorative language of post-war Italian design, where artisanal techniques meet modernist aesthetics.

The underside bears the inscription “Lavorato a mano” (handmade), alongside a maker’s mark, attesting to its Italian artisanal origin.

Both functional and sculptural, this piece stands as a refined decorative object, equally suited to a curated interior, a collector’s display, or a design-focused setting.

Origin: Italy
Period: 1960s
Material: Silver-plated metal (likely silver-plated brass)
Technique: Hand-worked, woven metal structure
Markings: Maker’s mark and “Lavorato a mano”
Dimensions
Width: 18 cm
Depth: 18 cm
Height: 7 cm
Weight: 1.4 kg See less