Some objects carry history in their very form — and this extraordinary set of four nesting ashtrays is one of them. Attributed to the masterful stamp work of Ike and/or Austin Wilson, this piece dates to the 1920s or 1930s and speaks to a time when functional objects were made with the care and intention of fine art. Each of the four sterling trays — 3½" in diameter and just 1" tall — stacks gracefully onto a single 5½" stand, transforming a set of ashtrays into something closer to sculpture.
What makes this piece truly rare is the way it lives in two worlds at once: it is at home displayed as a decorative object, yet it was made to be used, handled, and passed around a table. The stamp work is confident and deliberate, reflecting the hand of an artist who understood that beauty and utility need not be separate pursuits.
The 4 trays measure 3 1/2" in diameter and sit at 1" tall. Each weighs 67g
The base is 3 3/8" in diameter and measures 5 1/2" tall weighing 88g
Total weight: 365g
