Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Vintage Thingy Thursday: Ashtray or spoon rest?



I am joining Coloradolady this week for Vintage Thingy Thursday.

Time: an afternoon last week
Place: a Goodwill store I haven't visited in a long time
Item: a leaf-shaped plate that I did not immediately recognize as an ashtray. That is how uncommon smoking is among my friends and family.
Markings: Back: Orion China, made in Japan. "Hand Painted"
Front: Sweet pink rose with two buds, gold accented rim. I'm not sure what is hand painted unless it is the wisps of gold on the bottom.
Condition: used, still pretty!


Yes I thought this would be good as a spoon rest for the stove top, and I am using it as that, but the shape is not the best.
It's hard to believe anyone would have such a pretty ashtray, but someone did. The gold accent is worn in some places, and there is a chip or two, but that is OK.

Viridian

28 comments:

LV said...

I love your little find. I would not use it for a spoon rest as it might get too hot as it was not designed for that. Just set it around for a conversation piece.

Postcardy said...

It could be the start of a collection.

Paulette said...

That is really lovely, but I had to laugh--I did the same thing! Bought what I thought was a spoon rest and come to find out it was an ashtray. Oh well, pretty is pretty!

Michelle said...

Oh, that is just so pretty!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Wow, what a lovely piece, so hard to believe it is an ashtray. Thank you for sharing!
Hugz,
Kim

Coloradolady said...

Really pretty. I have seen a few of these in the past and I had no idea they were ashtrays. I guess these might have been in a ladies parlor?? Have a great VTT!! Loved your post, and I think it was a great find.

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Great idea for reuse. You're right though. It's hard to believe someone would use something so pretty to put an ugly cigarette in. Go figure!

I'm visiting from Coloradolady. Please stop by my cottage for a peek at the details for the three new linky parties I'm starting up the first week of June.

Have a wonderful Memorial weekend!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage

Ann said...

It is a very pretty ash tray. I say it would look just as pretty as a spoon rest!
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

wow such a pretty asthray! unique and rare shape.. thanks for sharing.. happy VTT

Unknown said...

You could use it as a candy dish... or maybe put sliced lemons in for a tea party.... its very pretty. :)

~Liz

iheartsunnydays said...

That is was too pretty to be used as an ashtray!

Unknown said...

An ashtray? Really? I would have thought it was a dish to hold jewelry!

Pretty, nonetheless :)

Have a great day!

Sarah

Joy @ Joy Of Desserts said...

Too pretty for ashes. It would be nice on a vanity with other pretty things, too.

Ulla said...

It makes me smile to read so many comments critisizing smoking! I agree, the ladies really didn't look so cool with a cigarette in their hand, even when they had such prett ashtrays.

Sue McPeak said...

Very pretty find and probably didn't hold too many smokes or ashes. Lovely roses and shape. Thanks for showing.

AlMcLeary said...

Creative use of an old ash tray - using it as a spoon rest, great idea.

viridian said...

Thanks for all the comments! I may follow LV though and take this off the stove and use it to hold rings and jewelry. Thanks for the ideas.

Susan Freeman said...

It's a cute little dish. If you are a tea drinker, you could use it to hold the tea bag. However you decide to use it, it's a cutie!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Unknown said...

Great thrifty find!! I have a few repurposed ashtrays at my house too.

Blessings!
Gail

Tara Beaulieu said...

I agree with the others- it's too pretty to be an ashtray! I like the idea of using it to hold jewelry in. I am constantly losing earrings on the floor because I toss them onto my dresser or nightstand at night (too lazy to put them away properly). A dish like this would
be perfect, maybe it should come live at my house? :)

Anonymous said...

That's a sweet little dish!

Miri said...

Oh I grew up with ashtrays just like this one...they were at my grandmothers, my aunts, and even my own house and no one smoked! They were just there to look pretty and I guess for guests.

Thank you so much for th memories..I haven't seen one like this in years. It gave me chills (good chills).

CC said...

It's sweet and beautiful..whatever you use it for. I think it could find a good home atop a dresser..how pretty it would look. Happy VTT..

Anonymous said...

What a vintage find! It is lovely

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Thanks so much for visiting my little blog!

Oh I love your little dish - it's hard to even say ash tray after almost twenty years of not smoking (hurray hurrah!). I agree, it would be lovely for rings, etc.

Happy VTT!
Sally

Lane said...

Neither of us smoke anymore, but we still have a large collection of vintage ashtrays that we like. It's funny how much artistry was put into something that was literally a trash container. Love yours and bet it makes a great spoon rest. Lane

deb said...

Pretty! Glad you have found a useful use for it :)
*hugs*deb

Ann said...

Very clever way to present your find today. It is a very beautiful piece. I'd probably try the spoon rest thing too, none of us smoke either. Thanks for your visit today.
Ann

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