Italian Solid Wood and Black Leather Ashtray, 1960s

Milan, 1960s. Italian design of the period was exploring contrasts of materials: solid wood, metal, full-grain leather. This ashtray belongs to that lineage, between woodcraft and geometric rigour. The base, in solid wood stained a deep brown, forms a square tray with corners sheathed in black leather — an echo of saddlery work carried over to occasional furniture, a common trait among Italian editors of the era. The removable dish, in clear blown glass, sits in a circular recess hollowed into the centre of the tray. Very good overall condition: the wood retains a fine original polish, the leather is free of cracks, and the glass is intact, without chips. The piece comes from Milan. At 18 x 21 cm on the base and 4 cm high, this ashtray finds its place on a desk, a console or a coffee table, on its own or paired with other wooden pieces of the same period. A restrained object, built to last.