Mid-Century Modern Round Brushed Stainless Steel or Silver-Plated Table Ashtray
Smoking Accessory / Decorative Hollowware (Ashtray) · Unknown manufacturer, likely an industrial design or hotel-ware producer such as Alessi, Stelton, or an American manufacturer like Vollrath or Revere.
Pattern: Minimalist Utility Pattern; lacks a specific aesthetic collection name, emphasizing functionalist Bauhaus-inspired design.
Type
Smoking Accessory / Decorative Hollowware (Ashtray)
Maker
Unknown manufacturer, likely an industrial design or hotel-ware producer such as Alessi, Stelton, or an American manufacturer like Vollrath or Revere.
Material
Primarily brushed stainless steel or heavy silver plate over brass (EPBM/EPNS). The visible circular grain and yellowish oxidation suggest a base metal or stainless alloy rather than solid sterling silver.
Dimensions
Estimated 4.5 to 5 inches in diameter; 1.5 inches in height. Heavyweight construction typical of commercial or hospitality grade ware.
Description
A utilitarian yet stylish example of mid-century smoking accessories. This round ashtray features a stark, cylindrical form characterized by deep notches and a flat bottom. Its beauty lies in its industrial simplicity and the contrast between the brushed metal surface and the geometric shadows cast by its rim.
Key Features
Symmetric U-shaped rests; concentric circular machining on the floor; absence of a rolled rim; heavy industrial gauge metal.
Material & Composition
Primarily brushed stainless steel or heavy silver plate over brass (EPBM/EPNS). The visible circular grain and yellowish oxidation suggest a base metal or stainless alloy rather than solid sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
Brushed/Satin finish with visible concentric machine-turned marks on the interior base. Decoration is strictly functional with no engraving or ornamentation, typical of late Modernism.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in the image. Likely stamped on the underside with 'Stainless Steel,' 'EPNS,' or a manufacturer's mark. Absence of a lion passant or '925' suggests it is non-sterling.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed and spun. The sidewalls are likely soldered to a flat base or deep-drawn from a single sheet of metal. Edges are mechanically finished with three U-shaped cigarette rests.
Functional Features
Triple cigarette notches spaced evenly along the rim; deep basin to prevent ash from blowing; vertical walls to contain debris.
Handle & Grip Details
No handle; the straight-sided wall provides the grip for lifting and emptying.
Craftsmanship Details
Precision-engineered industrial manufacturing. High accuracy in the spacing of the rests and the uniformity of the wall thickness.
Authentication Indicators
Mechanical consistency; lack of hallmark 'softness' associated with hand-wrought silver; high-speed lathe marks on the bottom interior indicate machine-spinning.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA or Western Europe (Italy/Denmark). Common in corporate offices and high-end hotels during the mid-20th century.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Brutalist influence (c. 1950-1975). The design reflects the mid-late 20th-century transition toward industrial aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960s-1970s based on the satin finish and geometric notch design.
Cultural Significance
A totem of the 'Mad Men' era, representing the social norms of mid-century corporate and domestic life where smoking was a central social ritual.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair condition. Surface shows moderate oxidation (yellowing) and 'pitting' or salt-corrosion spots in the center. Light surface scratches consistent with use and abrasive cleaning.
Value Estimate
$15 - $45 USD depending on the manufacturer's mark on the bottom. If a known designer, value could reach $75.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water. If silver-plated, use a non-abrasive polish. If stainless, use a specialized stainless steel cleaner. Avoid steel wool which will mar the brushed finish.
Similar Pieces
Arne Jacobsen for Stelton Cylinda-Line ashtrays (more refined); Alessi Bauhaus series (more expensive), or standard restaurant supply steel ashtrays.
Interesting Facts
Items like this were widely produced for airlines, hotels, and executive boardrooms before the widespread decline of indoor smoking in the 1990s.