Posted 8 years ago
AnythingOb…
(1778 items)
Since Brunswick showed his big ole glass ashtray the other day, I thought I'd show this big ole *stone* one I picked up over the past weekend at a thrift store. Not sure exactly what kind of rock it is made out of (quartz maybe, or something similar) it measures about 9" across at its widest and weighs in at a hefty 7.5 lbs. (maybe not the best piece for display on a glass table?!) There are no markings on it, unless there's something hidden under the green felt on its bottom side. The felt, frankly, does not look original but I haven't peeled it off yet to look.
I'm not guessing its terribly old (1970's?) but don't really care -- I *do* think its way-cool, anyway!! :-)
Is this not onyx?
I'm afraid its been *way* too many decades since my childhood "rock collection" days VikingGirl, so I'm only guessing at the sort of stone it is made of. Quartz/Onyx/Marble/*something* likewise quite dense, anyway?! If anybody can identify it by the pics, I'd LOVE to know!!
I think it is made of alabaster, which they use the more white with no veining for statuary. If I had it in my hand I would know for sure but I feel 90 % correct ! I love yours. I thought at first that it may be onyx also, but I ruled that out.
It's really a weapon disguised as an ashtray......
Thanks PhilDMorris for your thoughts -- is alabaster the stone also used for things like trophies and old lamp bases? It seems like *that* kind of stone anyway. A further fact if it'd be helpful, I just checked right now with a flashlight and the stone itself *is* slightly translucent.
@ racer4four -- you actually have a valid point...no doubt this ashtray could effectively crack a skull (or whatever) if it really needed to? <lol>
Yes alabaster is translucent. They used to make very nice statuary pedestals with it also. I had one that was all beautifully lit up with bulbs inside. They did not do that too often as the regular bulbs got very hot inside. They did use it often for old lamp bases. More often than not, lamp bases had more white but I prefer your alabaster with the great veining and deeper brown colours. Both onyx and alabaster are transluscent although the brown onyx does not let light through very well, if at all. I recently saw an ashtray similar to yours in the last year, and it had an aeroplane attached and was being sold through a Germany regular auction. I always loved to collect beautiful ashtrays although I never smoked. Yours is an ashtray a collector would be proud to own !
beautiful...and as Phil said Ditto.
I have seen a few of them, and also had a few. Some have labels on them made in italy and yes Albaster. See the link below for something similar. They came in different designs, shapes and colors,
https://www.ebid.net/us/for-sale/vintage-genuine-alabaster-hand-carved-italian-made-solid-ash-tray-excellent-con-128797003.htm
YES, and flipping HEAVY !!