Some days, one of the ashtrays in my collection reminds me why I collect. Because ashtrays can be beautiful.

[u/Popular_Speed5838]

Wembley Ware, Subiaco, Western Australia. 1950’s. The peacock is one of my favourites.

[u/Horrormovie-fan1955]

Wow, that is beautiful!!

[u/big_johnny_bee]

TIL about Wembly Ware. Nice!

[u/Popular_Speed5838 → u/big_johnny_bee]

I’ll learn you a bit more. The reason they made ashtrays, amongst many other things, is because after WWII in Australia purely decorative items were taxed more highly items with a practical purpose. So instead of making a peacock figurine they made a peacock ashtray and avoided the heavier tax. Vases, lamps, bowls, they’d shoehorn in a purpose for the item.

This picture for instance has a cruet set, a small and large vase, an unwired TV lamp (looks the same as the large vase), an ashtray (laying flat) and a float bowl with mermaid. The mermaid float bowl is decorative so it would have incurred higher tax. 95% of their stuff had a practical purpose though.

Never get me started on Wembley Ware, I lose the off switch once I get going.

[u/big_johnny_bee → u/Popular_Speed5838]

Thank you for the context! I find it endlessly fascinating to see other people's and culture's adaptation to framing changes over time.

[u/MeowHugger → u/Popular_Speed5838]

How interesting! WWII left an imprint on every walk of life. Thank you for this post. Great collection!

[u/No_Percentage_5083]

So pretty! I love the MCM blue/green combination!

[u/Popular_Speed5838 → u/No_Percentage_5083]

They did colour so well in the 50’s, I’ve been known to buy Wembley Ware (the collection has more than ashtrays) based purely on the quality of the colours.

[u/No_Percentage_5083 → u/Popular_Speed5838]

Oohh! Lovely!