Ashtray and Lighter

MakerAshtray made by The Hartford Faience Co. (founded 1895)

MakerLighter made by Evans Case Co. (American, 1922 - 1960)

Original OwnerOriginally owned by George Douglas Rankin Jr. (American)

Dateabout 1965

MediumMold-formed porcelain with a grey glaze, leather, gilding, and cast brass

DimensionsComponent (height x diameter of lighter): 2 1/4 x 2 1/2in. (5.7 x 6.4cm) Component (diameter of ashtray): 5in. (12.7cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineGift of Margaret Rankin

Object number1986.160.36a-b

DescriptionRound ashtray (.a) made of porcelain with an opaque light grey glaze and a lighter (.b) made of porcelain and brass. The ashtray is shallow and round, with horizontal ribs on the sides. There is a second, circular area inside, intended to hold the ashes, with five semi-circular indentations on the rim.

The lighter consists of a short, round, hollow, porcelain column with horizontally ribbed sides. The brass lighter fits snugly inside the porcelain column. The lighter has a sleek, shell-shaped handle, which, when pressed down, caused the lighter mechanism to lift up and produce a flame. The underside of the brass lighter has two screws, intended to enable the owner to refill the fluid. The bottom of the lighter is stamped with the mark of the Evans company. The bottom of the porcelain has a circular, leather piece attached, with an advertisement for the Hartford Faience Company.

There are some light scratches on projecting portions of the ashtray and lighter.

NotesHistorical Note: George Douglas Rankin, the donor's father, was the President of the Hartford Faience Company in Hartford, Connecticut.

Historical Note: This is said to have been made from molds taken of the doorknobs at Trinity College.

Status

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