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)
Component (diameter of ashtray): 5in. (12.7cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Margaret Rankin
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.
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.
Object number1986.160.36a-b
MarkingsThe bottom of the ashtray (.a) has the following printed, blue advertisement: "Compliments of/ The/ HARTFORD FAIENCE/ Company". The bottom of the porcelain portion of the lighter (.b) is lined with leather, and bears the following, stamped, gilded, advertisement: "THE HARTFORD FAIENCE CO. HARTFORD, CONN/ QUALITY ELECTRICAL PORCELAIN".
The bottom of the brass lighter itself has the stamped company name "EVANS/ USA" and the maker's mark, consisting of a shield with a lion standing on its hind legs on either side. There is a geometric shape above the shield and a banner with the name "EVANS" below.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.
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