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Vintage c.1960 Fontana Arte square thick glass and stitched brown leather ashtray catchall dish from Collectors Gene

High angle perspective view of 7.5 inch Fontana Arte Italian heavy glass ashtray with leather base available at Collectors Gene

Front view of mid-century Fontana Arte glass and leather vide poche tray from Collectors Gene

Close-up corner view showing thick beveled teal glass edge and stitched leather surround available at Collectors Gene

Executive desk context shot featuring vintage 1960s Fontana Arte leather and glass ashtray from Collectors Gene

Fontana Arte Leather & Glass Ashtray - Italy c.1960

Regular price: $890.00
Regular price
Sale price: $890.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

A substantial vintage Italian ashtray by Fontana Arte, dating to the 1960s and combining thick glass with a fitted leather-covered base. The square composition centers on a weighty glass ashtray with a circular recessed well and four integrated cigarette rests. Beneath it, a dark leather surround finished with contrasting stitching provides both warmth and visual structure.

The relationship between glass and leather is what makes the piece particularly compelling. Fontana Arte is closely associated with the sophisticated use of glass within Italian modernist design, and here the material is treated almost architecturally. Its considerable thickness creates shifting reflections and refractions along the beveled edges, while the leather base introduces a tactile quality that offsets the cool transparency of the glass.

The disciplined square geometry and substantial proportions give the ashtray considerably more presence than its utilitarian origins might suggest. It is the kind of object that demonstrates why vintage smoking accessories have become increasingly collectible: designers frequently devoted remarkable attention to objects that were once part of everyday life.

At approximately seven and a half inches square, the piece is substantial enough to anchor a desk or coffee table. Whether retained as an ashtray or repurposed as a catchall, it is a handsome and collectible example of Italian mid-century design.

Collectors Notes

We love objects where the level of design seems almost disproportionate to their original function. This is a perfect example. On a desk, the heavy glass center makes an excellent place for jewelry, matchbooks, or other loose objects. On a coffee table, we would be just as inclined to leave it empty and let the glass do the work.

It's a fitting addition to our Vintage Ashtrays and Leather Goods collections, and a distinctive Wedding Gifts pick.

Dimensions

7.48 x 1.38"

Shipping

We ship worldwide, with USPS Ground included for orders within the 48 contiguous U.S. states (5–8 business days). USPS Express (2 business days) is available at checkout for an added cost. Orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days, and you’ll receive an email with tracking details once shipped. Please note that delivery times are estimates and may vary due to weather, carrier delays, or peak seasons. If you have any questions about your order, contact us at info@collectorsgene.com.

Who Are You Buying From?

Every object here has a journey before it ever reaches you. I've spent years seeking these pieces out, in back rooms of old ateliers, from families who've inherited more than they can keep, through dealers I've come to trust, in conversations with people who still work with their hands, because I've always believed the things we choose to live with should carry something true. What began as a private obsession became a devotion, one I now share with my wife and daughter, who remind me daily that the best collections are the ones built to be passed down, not simply owned. What you're holding isn't just an object. You're inheriting its story, and becoming part of its next chapter.