Italian glass ashtray, geometric molded form, 1970s

Italian ashtray from the 1970s, crafted from thick moulded glass with a striking geometric form. This piece combines everyday functionality with the sculptural quality characteristic of Italian design from that era its substantial presence and crystalline transparency make it equally suited as a decorative object.

The construction builds upon a solid glass block with a square footprint, featuring a central depression and grooves along the edges designed for resting cigarettes. The thick walls give the ashtray considerable weight, ensuring stability on any surface. The geometric precision of the form plays against the organic clarity of the material — light passing through the glass refracts along the edges, creating subtle reflections that shift with the viewing angle.

The 1970s marked a period of bold experimentation in Italian glass production. Glassworks and workshops across Italy were creating everyday objects that merged craft traditions with contemporary forms. Heavy ashtrays, vases, and dishes in thick moulded glass found their way into homes across Europe, bringing Mediterranean aesthetics to modern interiors. These weighty, clean geometric shapes represented a deliberate move away from the more ornate designs of previous decades.

Compact dimensions of twelve centimetres in width and depth with a height just under six centimetres allow placement on a coffee table, desk, or windowsill. Beyond its original purpose, it serves equally well as a catch-all dish for small items or as a standalone decorative piece.

Good condition with no significant flaws. The glass retains full transparency and shows no signs of mechanical damage.

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