Description
Scarce Red Opaline Ashtray by Blenko
Sand blasted Blenko mark dates this beauty from 1959 to 1961.
Blenko’s variant color ‘ruby opaline’ is not often seen. It is a result, either accidentally or on purpose, of Blenko’s heat sensitive ‘Tangerine’ color changing to red and red opalescent during firing. The lower half is in translucent deep fire red and the upper half is in semi-translucent red opaline.
Blenko’s catalogs from the past show this form as either B-508 (Bubble ashtray) or 452 (Heavy ashtray) and both listed at 6.5″ wide. This ashtray is a bit over 7″ wide. The diameter difference can be explained because of the nature of hand-made glass. The artist can decide to flatten and widen at their whim. The thick glass walls are decorated internally with controlled air bubbles.
This smoking hot rarity ashtray has the bonus of Blenko’s sandblasted mark (used only between 1959 and 1961) placed in the center of the half-moon polished pontil mark. The etched mark can only be seen when the ashtray is held to the light. This ashtray weighs 4 lbs. Measures just over 7″ round, deep bowl measures 2.75″ tall. A true gem.
Items shown in the Big Ashtray Museum are not for sale. Big Ashtray offers a large selection of antique, vintage and retro art ashtrays, plus modern-made ashtrays, for sale in the Big Ashtray shop. Click here to view available items…
