Mid-Century Cloisonné Enamel Revolving Ashtray in Green & Cobalt

Details

Description

A jewel-like mid-century cloisonné ashtray with an unexpectedly clever bit of engineering. The rounded green enamel body is traced with … Read more A jewel-like mid-century cloisonné ashtray with an unexpectedly clever bit of engineering. The rounded green enamel body is traced with fine scrolling wirework and layered with cobalt blue borders and stylized florals in dusty pink, yellow and deep plum. Gilt-tone metal outlines the form and extends into two sculptural ball-ended pivots.

Suspended between them is a rotating cloisonné insert. Presented upright, it forms a richly decorated recessed ashtray; turned on its pivots, the insert deposits ashes discreetly into the body below. Its reverse is finished in clear blue enamel.

At just 4 inches wide, the piece has the presence of a small objet—equally compelling on a bar, cocktail table or collected bookshelf long after its original smoking-era purpose has passed.

Vintage, likely Chinese and mid-20th century. No maker’s mark observed.

Measures approximately 4” wide, 3.5”deep, and 2” tall.

In very good vintage condition with patina, surface wear and age-related variation to the enamel and metal consistent with use and age. Original condition unaltered. See less