Ashtray Art Appraisal

Humorous Ceramic Ashtray with Cliff-Falling Illustration

This item is a rectangular, off-white ceramic ashtray, likely made of porcelain or glazed stoneware due to its glossy finish and solid appearance. It features an illustration in black ink depicting a comical scene: a person (possibly a cowboy, suggested by the hat falling off) is shown in mid-air, having apparently fallen from a cliff edge. Below, a small structure resembling a building or house is visible in the distance, indicating a substantial fall. The central humorous element is the text 'Whoa-a-aa-you son-of-a-bitch Whoa-ho-o-o-a' printed in black sans-serif font, capturing the character's exclamations during the fall. Physically, the ashtray has raised, ribbed edges on the top and bottom longer sides, designed as cigarette rests, with two prominent indentations on the shorter sides for holding cigarettes. A circular hole is present at the top center of the ashtray, suggesting it doubles as a wall hanging decoration, consistent with the 'wall decor' context. The overall condition appears good, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear on the glazed surface. The black illustration is crisp and fully intact. The craftsmanship suggests a commercially produced item, likely from the mid-20th century, given the style of humor and text presentation, fitting into the 'gag shop' context. This item serves dual purposes as both a functional ashtray and a decorative piece with a distinct vintage comedic appeal. The clean lines and uniform glaze indicate a mass-produced but well-finished product.