Friday, February 20, 2009

Daddy's Ashtray

Kelli from Kelli's House hosts Show and Tell Friday. If you have something special to share, this is the place to show it. It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Go to her place to join in the fun!

My father smoked. At the time, almost everyone did. He preferred over-sized ashtrays and had one beside his easy chair. However, he was intrigued with little ashtrays, and this is a special brass one of his. It's only 3½ inches long--certainly not very functional, although I do remember him using it once or twice. It's beautifully engraved and special to me because my father loved it and gave it to me.


The marking on the back says, "INDIA" with a number underneath. It's hard to make out. If you can provide any information, I'd love to hear it. These are the best shots I could get.

Maybe you can see the number. To me it looks like "77." That would not be 1977 because he gave it to me in the 1950s.



See the little cigarette impression at the end?



66 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is special for you because your father gave it to you. Ashtrays are something you don't see a lot of anymore. When I used to make ceramics, I made huge ashtrays for almost everybody in the family, for their coffee table. Wonder what ever happened to them? :)

Hugs,
Chris

Karen said...

Very nice! You know, I think I may have seen one like this somewhere. My grandpa smoked, so it could have been there. You've got my curiosity up about this little ashtray. I may have to go looking. Will let you know if I find out anything. :-)
Karen

xinex said...

Very cute! I have no info about it but it looks like a Turkish or Indian slipper...Christine

Anonymous said...

How pretty!

April said...

Oh, I love that, Sally, but, especially, because it was your father's...what a treasure!

Coloradolady said...

What a cute and unusual ashtray. I have never seen one even remotely like this one. Very special indeed.

squawmama said...

Wow Sally what a cute little Indian shoe ashtray... How special that it was one of your dad's and you ended up with it... I just love the memories that come with handed down possessions don't you? Have a super day

(((HUGS)))
Donna

sara said...

Sally you have some of the most unique and treasured items from your family!! I love that!

♥ Kathy said...

That is really neat. My grandfather collected ashtrays although he didn't smoke. He just liked them :) Hope you have a nice Friday Sally ♥

Kristen said...

What an unusual ashtray and a treasure because it came from your father.

~CC Catherine said...

Sally, sweet memento of your father. My grandfather used to smoke a pipe, I wish I would have asked my grandmother for one of them. I loved the smell of his cherry tobacco., and I've never been a smoker. I think we associate scents with the people we love... ;) ~CC Catherine

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Sally what a treasure and girl you know I never see ashtrays any more..but I see cigartettes for sale so I know people still need them..I have not a clue about this one..hope you have a great day dear friend..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Debbie J said...

That is a very special possession of yours, I'm sure. It looks so sweet with the red rocks in the background.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Sally, wanted to see you before I leave this morning. That is SO neat! What a precious shoe ashtray! I love it, and I also love those red beads/rocks with which you have it displayed. Looks great! That's so special that it belonged to your father. I cherish everything I have of my father's, even his glasses. I have them displayed in a cabinet along with his bird dog whistle.

I was just thinking that the shoe reminds me of the ones in "The King and I."

Love you much...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Dawn said...

You are right. Everyone did smoke way back when. I remember having to wash dishes as a child and the smell of the ashtray would make me ill. I am so glad I never smoked! I can't remember the last time I saw an ashtray anywhere for sale.

I know that different things and trinkets that have been passed down to me always hold a special place in my heart as I am sure your father's ashtray does. I also like how you photographed it!

take care,
Dawn

MsSippi, aka Peggy said...

That really is a cute lil' ashtray!

I have my daddy's favorite ashtray, but it isn't pretty or anything.

It's made like a GE tire, with the glass ashtray in the middle. I can remember when he got it. It was when he bought his last Chevrolet car in 1954, when I was 4 years old. I can even remember that the car was a light gray and white...maybe because he kept it for 5 years!

Susan B said...

What a precious keepsake from your father. It's very pretty! I like how you have it displayed. Thank you for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

Both my parents smoked, too, and had a lot of ashtrays, but I have never seen one that unique!

Elizabeth-Plain and Simple said...

Very unique. I have never seen another one like it. Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

My dad smoked also. I don't think he had any special ashtrays, but the one you have from your dad is just precious. Shapes like a tiny little shoe. Very unusual and lovely. Hugs, Marty

Gattina said...

What a cute little Indian shoe. Maybe it's not 77 but 11 in some countries the 7 and the 1 are very similar. Then it would be really old.

Libby's Library said...

Hi ya Sally - I'm back!
I don't know squat about antiques, but that "shoe" is cute!
Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes.

Secondhand Blessings said...

I just wanted to drop in and say Hi and thank you for visiting my blog.
I don't smoke but I also treasure my mother's ashtray. It's very pretty, has a raised grapevine on the outside, and is white. It's sitting on my dresser and is filled with Potporri. I hadn't thought about it until now, but in the near future I'll make it my feature item for Show & Tell Friday.
I like your Father's alot too! It looks like a slipper.It is so delicate looking. It's too pretty to use!
Brenda

Kelli said...

That has to be the prettiest ashtray! A wonderful treasure.
~Kelli

Killlashandra said...

Lovely ashtray. It's strange how something you would not normally see as pretty due to the nature of it's design really is.

Dorothy said...

What a cute little brass slipper for an ash tray!
Sally, I would like to start replying to comment vai e-mail and wonder if you would share your address with me at dayep@hughes.net. If not, I will certainly understand. Thanks!

Linda C said...

Such a pretty little keepsake! I've never seen an ashtray like this.

And so special that it came from your dad. Smoking was so prevalent back in the day... and ashtrays were a fixture in many homes.

Thanks for sharing this unique one with us:)

Linda C

P. said...

I remember these ashtrays. When I was a little girl, I uzsed to see them quite a lot.

Alfazema

Belinda said...

Gosh, who would have though an ashtray could be so pretty?! And how special that it was passed down to you from your father. :-)

Heidi Pocketbook said...

This is very unique to me, I've not seen one in the shape of a slipper. I love how you have it displayed!

I do have an ashtray of my dad's that was made in India, but it's not as interesting as this.

Have a good weekend, Sally!

JudyBug said...

What a cute and interesting treasure. I haven't seen one like that before.

You're probably very correct about the carnations. They will always represent death to me. I like to celebrate the life!

Judi said...

Hi Sally
What a cute little ashtray. Nope I've never seen one like that before. A special gift from your father. I hope you find out more about it.
have a nice day..
We have 91 degrees difference in our temps today.
Judi

Anonymous said...

Yes, smoking used to be a part of all of our households. My dad smoked, too, but told us he "quit" as we got older. He would sneak a puff now and then, but I think that was better than smoking lots and lots. I picked up the habit when I went college. I smoked for 18 years and quitting was the hardest thing I ever did!
Back to YOUR post. That is a sweet little shoe--I think I've seen similar ones in antique malls. It's so nice that you have that memento from your dad.
Hope you've had a great week! Dana

Oh, and I enjoyed reading about how you organize your books.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

What a unique ashtray! Very pretty!

Thanks for dropping by my blog today, too! Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

Morning, Dear Sallyness! Oh this is a cutie - a little shoe ashtray - never seen one before. You have it so cute in your little red stones - makes it look almost magical. Every one smoked back then, didn't they? Glad things have changed.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Shimmy Mom said...

It's beautiful. I hope you have some luck finding out more about it.

*hugs*

Lois Christensen said...

What an unusual ashtray!!! Looks really different!

imjacobsmom said...

As an ashtray it sure is a cutie. ~ Robyn

artis1111 said...

I want to say it would be in a ladies purse so she could smoke when she wanted,say the opera. Just guessing.Kathy

nikkicrumpet said...

Very cool...and I would think a small ashtray was preferable...that way it has to be emptied more often! It really is cute and would easily fit into the decor.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sally, you are so sweet to share your grands. We have lots of boys but the girls are few. My mom and dad had twenty grands and only five are boys. Lol. Girls rule in this family. Five daughters and fourteen granddaughters was over whelming at the time. I'm the only daughter that had two sons. Such is life.

I love your father's ashtray. I do not know anything about it. It is very pretty for what it is. Hardly anyone smoked in my huge family. I am happy you have such a nice memory of your dad.

Hugs...Jeanne

akawest said...

I remember when everyone had an ashtray or five in their living room, smokers or not. Yours is very pretty. I do hope someone can help you with its origin.

The Raggedy Girl said...

How really unusual. I might write into a magazine that does that sort of thing and ask about it.

Have a great weekend from
Roberta Anne

Anonymous said...

I have never seen anything like it
It is beautiful and such a special treasure from your daddy

Anonymous said...

This is a very lovely little ash tray. I have never seen one like it. It's extra special in that it belonged to your father. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

What an unusual treasure, and so much more so that it was given to you by your father.

Blondie's Journal said...

Sally,

I wish I could help you. I do think it is nice that you have a little treasure from your father. I remember my parents having those huge ashtrays also. They weighed a ton to empty with one hand! I sometimes wonder where they all went.

Have a great weekend! :-)

xoxo
Jane

bj said...

What a cute little ashtray. Yes, a LOT of folks smoked back then. I did, too. I quit about 6 or 7 years ago and have never looked back.

~♥~ Monica S said...

Interesting :-) could it be 11 out of 30-something??? I can't see the last number !?? ( you know like they do with prints of artwork)

It is beautiful!! And so cute!!!

Monica

Sweetie said...

The ashtray is very pretty and I know that it means a lot to you because your father gave it to you. I have never seen a similar ashtray. I remember the beautiful ashtrays that my grandmother had. She also had cigarette boxes that matched and were kept on her coffee table. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Sweetie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I've never seen such a pretty ashtray! How neat that your father gave it to you. laurie

Kelli said...

Sally, you are still on the list...number 41! Email at kwinn@hotmail.com if you have any questions about last week.
~Kelli

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

nice momentos to remind of your lovely father.. precious! have a great weekend!

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Sally that is the cutest ashtray!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Now that is a cute ashtray! I am old enough to remember when every household had ashtrays scattered on end tables -- even if you didn't smoke, maybe a visitor did.
Ah... different world! How nice of you to have a piece that gives you such a strong connection to your dad.
Cass

Kathy said...

What a cute ashtray! So unique. More importantly, a wonderful momento from your father.
Kathy

playsdolls said...

Very unique ash tray,it is a wonderful treasure from your father.

playsdolls said...

Very unique ash tray,it is a wonderful treasure from your father.

Lisa Cobler said...

What a unique ashtray and special keepsake.

Life on the Edge said...

I never thought I'd see an ashtray that I would consider pretty! It really is pretty cool, and all the more special because your father gave it to you!

Kady

tammy said...

Who knew an ashtray could be so cute?

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

This brings back memories, I used to have one of those little brass shoes (but no one smoked!) I'm wondering where it is now?

Katherine

I'll try to do Blue Monday again in a few weeks!

Cathy said...

Now that is really a unique ashtray, Sally. My parents smoked too, and I could not stand it.

Susie Homemaker said...

Hi there Sally...thanks so much for showing us your little treasure.

Warm Wishes,
Susie

Anonymous said...

I used to have a little shoe exactly like this back in the 50s. I have no idea what went with it. I had forgotten about it and haven't seen it in many many years. It's probably around somewhere stuck away in a box with other treasures that I have forgotten about.
Charlotte

Alice said...

what a great treasure. i remember my dad smoking a cigar , or two, but he wasn't allowed to do so in the house. what a hoot! mom supposedly liked the smell of the cigar, but wouldn't let dad smoke in the house. what's up with that! thanks for your post. great memories :O)

There is always room for you in The Shadow of the Cross. Feel free to visit anytime.