Vintage Brass Ashtray Depicting the Mythological Nemean Lion Skin, Italy, 1970s

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Vintage ashtray made in Italy between the 70s and 80s in cast brass and finished by hand. it is a … Read more Vintage ashtray made in Italy between the 70s and 80s in cast brass and finished by hand. it is a very decorative object that can be used as an ashtray, as a pocket emptier or soap dish; but also as a wall decoration, as you would a nice English plate. The theme of this mid century ashtray is of mythological inspiration, to be precise it refers to the epic poem of the 12 Labors of Hercules or Labors of Heracles. In fact, the ashtray has the shape of the skin of a Lion of Nemean, an animal with impenetrable fur, beaten and killed by Hercules during his first Labor and with whose fur he made his armor. The ashtray is excellently made using a mold and then finished by hand. In good vintage condition, it has a wonderful patina of the time. See less