The heavy, substantial density of this mid-century pottery piece instantly teleports you back to a smoke-filled room of jazz, tailored suits, and old-school glamour. Running your finger across the smooth, glossy periwinkle blue glaze, you feel the precise geometric ridges of the patented triangle snuffer chambers—a design built specifically to quench a smoldering cigarette in seconds. It is a satisfyingly cool, tactile artifact of high-society nightlife that makes you want to drop your keys, pour a stiff drink, and spark a conversation before you even set it down on your coffee table.Own an incredibly rare piece of mid-century New York high-society history with this vintage Snuf-A-Rette advertising ashtray custom-made for the legendary "El Morocco" nightclub. Famed for its iconic zebra-striped booths and star-studded guest lists featuring Hollywood royalty, international aristocracy, and elite socialites, El Morocco was the absolute epicenter of Manhattan's elite "Cafe Society" nightlife during the mid-20th century.While heavily damaged and cracked examples of this exact piece have historically commanded $250.00+ on the secondary market, this exceptional survivor is in beautiful cosmetic shape. It features the unmistakable hand-styled El Morocco signature script emblazoned across the main ash well, contrasted beautifully against a rare periwinkle lavender-blue ceramic base. The top half showcases the highly engineered, geometric triangular snuffer grill designed to safely extinguish cigarettes automatically. The underside features a fully detailed, crisp mold stamp crediting the Ekstrand Mfg. Co. of Westfield, New Jersey, along with its unique manufacturing mold designation, No. 818-N.Product Specifications:

• Venue Accent: "El Morocco" (Famous Mid-Century Manhattan Nightclub)
• Patented Design Brand: Snuf-A-Rette (Registered Trade Mark)
• Manufacturer: Ekstrand Mfg. Co.
• Location of Origin: Westfield, New Jersey, USA (Made in U.S.A.)
• Material: Heavy High-Gloss Glazed Ceramic / Art Pottery
• Color Variant: Periwinkle Blue / Lavender Blue
• U.S. Patents Listed: 2,100,073 (Granted 1937) | 2,266,891 (Granted 1941) | 2,146,309 (Granted 1939)
• Production Era: Circa late 1940s – 1950s

Condition Report (Visual Assessment from Photos):

• Structure & Body: In highly superior vintage condition compared to typical market finds. The ceramic body is structurally sound and completely free of the hairline cracks, deep fractures, or structural breaks commonly seen on these fragile pieces.
• Graphics & Glaze: The black "El Morocco" script is beautifully preserved, remaining crisp, sharp, and entirely free of rubbing or fading. The outer periwinkle glaze maintains an impressive, glassy gloss.
• Snuffer Wells & Interior: The interior triangular wells show honest evidence of historic use, including minor tobacco/tar residue stains inside the wells that can be easily detailed with a gentle cleaning.
• Glaze Variations: Displays typical mid-century manufacturing glaze characteristics, including minor factory pinholes and tiny glaze skips along the lower base rim born during production. The bottom unglazed foot ring displays expected light shelf-wear discoloration.

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