Double Ashtray Model No. 205A Cipro 1974

This ashtray was designed by Bruno Munari, most likely sometime in the mid-20th century, using metal and enamel. This is not the kind of material you would typically associate with "art," and that's precisely the point. The cool, machined surfaces speak to the industrialized aesthetic of mid-century design. This was a time when designers were eager to elevate everyday objects, and this ashtray is a perfect example. The enamel gives it a touch of refinement, while the simple geometric form keeps it modern. Consider, too, that it's an ashtray, a rapidly disappearing object in our present day. Munari wasn't just designing an object; he was also responding to the social rituals of his time, including the then-ubiquitous culture of smoking. Objects such as this invite us to reflect on how design is embedded in the way we live. It challenges us to reconsider the value of the everyday, moving beyond traditional notions of fine art.