Mid-century modern ashtray, manganese glass, designed by J. Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1970s

Mid-century modern style ashtray, designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, made in Poland in the 1970s by Huta Tarnowiec. Its massive construction is made of thick manganese glass, coloured in a saturated, cool amethyst purple. The interior of the ashtray gains special depth thanks to the play of light, which changes the intensity of the colour depending on the position and angle of view. The outer layer is crystal clear, hand-polished glass with a shiny finish, emphasising the spaciousness and highlighting the contrast with the colourful centre. The organic form, undulating, irregular walls and pronounced bulges around the edges refer to the era's characteristic experiments with form, resulting in a strongly sculptural effect. The whole is heavy and compact, with a perfectly smooth surface – no visible mould lines or joints. The ashtray is in very good condition: there are no chips, signs of use, discolouration or traces of restoration, which emphasises its originality and collector's value. The form of the ashtray subtly reflects the spirit of 1970s modernist optimism – the glass, captured in fluid motion, seems to be frozen for a moment in the process of transformation. The bulges resemble air bubbles or the surface of solidifying lava, evoking associations with nature and experimental glassworks craftsmanship. The organic silhouette tells of a time when form and function intertwined in everyday objects, and light played a key role in their perception — each glance reveals new depth and dimension of colour. The ashtray has an intimate character, and its saturated purple illuminated by light brings a discreet touch of luxury known from the best mid-century modern designs. This item can be used as an individual accent in a living room or home library. It will work well on a classic wooden coffee table or next to porcelain trinkets on a 1960s console, but it is also worth combining it with minimalist objects and raw materials to bring out its sculptural form. The intensely coloured glass will look particularly good near a source of daylight or against a light plaster background – it can be composed with both mid-century modern furniture and contemporary arrangements based on simple forms and open space.