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Ashtray

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For containers in which cigarettes are disposed of, see Cigarette receptacle.
A glass ashtray, holding a lit cigarette in an edge indentation

An ashtray is a receptacle for ash from cigarettes, cigars, and other smokable products. Ashtrays typically are made of fire-retardant material such as glass, heat-resistant plastic, pottery, metal, or stone. It differs from a cigarette receptacle, which is specifically for discarding cigarettes after being smoked.

Types

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Commemorative, decorative ashtray manufactured 1935 (photo 2011)
Wall-mounted ashtray
Standing type ashtray for passing pedestrians.

The most common ashtray design is a shallow cylinder with a flat base, to rest on a table. Other ashtrays, particularly in public places, are wall-mounted, and larger than standard tabletop ashtrays due to the increased use they receive. There are also public ashtrays combined with trashcans. Many ashtrays have notches at the rim, to hold cigarettes and/or a cigar. Frequently ashtrays were equipped in older large or luxury cars before later being available as dealer-installed accessory items.[1]

There are ashtrays that have a cover to prevent odor from leaving the ashtray. It also prevents oxygen from flowing in, so a cigarette will go out by itself, even if it has not been completely extinguished by pushing into the surface.

An ashtray with a cover. A metal surface of the cover serves to place a cigarette during smoking, to drop ash on and to extinguish the cigarette once finished. Then, the user presses the mechanism and the ashes and the cigarette butt are dropped into the internal chamber.

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A trashcan equipped with an ashtray at its top. Because the ashes and the potentially still lit cigarette butts are separated from other garbage, the risk of fire is reduced.

History

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While simple, primitive forms of ashtrays existed long before the 19th century, it was during the start of the 20th century that the design, aesthetics and their popularity really took off.[2][3] As more women began to smoke in the early 1900s, the ashtray went closer to an art form.[4][1] Many women avoided the use of the traditional ashtray as it failed to reflect their feminine values through an activity that was long declared as being exclusive to men.[1] What emerged were detailed, often very fancy ashtrays. These ashtrays depicted pastoral scenes of maidens wandering through vibrantly colored landscapes. Some even featured very luxurious cast-iron models of women in fancy dresses, animals in states of play and the occasional porcelain or ceramic tray highlighting extravagant floral arrangements.[1][4]

The word "ashtray" in unhyphenated form, rather than "ash tray" or "ash-tray", did not come into common use until 1926.[5]

As time went on, and the onset of women smoking both cigars and cigarettes became less of a departure from the average person, ashtrays saw a decline in design aesthetics and began more of a shift towards practicality.[6] However, it was not uncommon to see ashtrays featuring pin-up girls in bars during this decade.[7] It was also during this time that another trend in ashtrays began to emerge, which was the auto-ashtray.[1]

While the addition of vehicle ashtrays is now becoming something of the past, there was a time when these not only came standard, they were expected.[8][9] In the early years, design oversights put these ash receptacles right below the A/C and heating so every time the owner would use either of these, the ash would inadvertently fly in their face or even all throughout the car.[10][11][12] But as new vehicle models were constantly introduced to the public, these little flaws gave way and many began using chrome trays with covers that could be opened and closed at the driver's discretion.[10] Many luxury cars would create a more luxurious design and it was common to see intricately made ashtrays in some of the high-end cars of the day. These ashtrays would feature leather, high-end metals and even specialized engravings by the manufacturer.[1]

But, just like the stand-alone ashtray, the vehicle ashtray began to lose popularity and in 1994, vehicles began to be produced without them and instead, offer the buyer the option to include one from the dealer.[1]

Today, ashtrays are still used for cigarette smokers, but they have also been making a small revival in popularity from the cigar aficionados of the world. Ashtrays designed for cigars are often larger than standard ashtrays and include notches big enough to hold the cigar.[1]

Ashtrays as design objects

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A number of well-known designers have created ashtrays:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Normand, Luzzie. "Cigars and the History of the Ashtray". Neptune Cigars, Inc. (US). Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  2. ^ "The Sculptor and the Ashtray". The Noguchi Museum. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  3. ^ Kahn, Eve (August 25, 2025). "Casting a Fresh Eye on Artifacts from Smoke-Filled Rooms". The New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b Manty, Kris (2024-05-07). "Vintage Ashtrays Are Smoking Hot Collectibles". Antique Trader. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  5. ^ Proctor, Robert N. (2012). Golden Holocaust: Origins of the Cigarette Catastrophe and the Case for Abolition. University of California Press. p. 136. ISBN 9780520950436. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  6. ^ "The History and Evolution of the Ashtray". Puffy Puppy Company. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  7. ^ "What the World Doesn't Know About Pin-Up Girls". History Collection. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  8. ^ "Automakers drop ashtrays, lighters from new cars". The Journal Record. November 27, 2000. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Standard ashtrays going up in smoke". Chicago Tribune. 2004-02-08. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  10. ^ a b "BUTT OUT: A HISTORY OF THE AUTO ASHTRAY". Chicago Tribune. 1994-02-20. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  11. ^ Herriott, Richard (29 November 2014). "Ashtrays". Driven to Write. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Times, MARSHALL SCHUON Source: (The New York (1990-04-18). "THE ASHTRAY TEST DEMONSTRATES DRAWBACKS OF INTERIOR DESIGN". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
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  • Media related to Ashtray at Wikimedia Commons