The word ashtray came into use around the 1920 and is a receptacle for ash from cigarettes and cigars and are typically made of fire retardant material such as glass, heat resistant plastic, pottery, metal, or stone. The most common ashtray design is a shallow cylinder with a flat base, designed to rest on a table. Other ashtrays, particularly in public places, are either wall or floor mounted. While simple, utilitarian forms of ashtrays existed long before the 19th century, it was during the start of the 20th century that the design, aesthetics and their popularity took off. As more women began to smoke. in the early 1900s, the ashtray went closer to being an art form as many women avoided the use of the traditional ashtray as it failed to reflect their feminine values, regarded as an item rather basic in design the general societal through of the time was that smoking was an activity exclusive to men. What emerged were detailed, often very fancy ashtrays acceptable to women depicting either pastoral scenes or vibrantly coloured landscapes. As time went on, and the onset of women smoking both cigars and cigarettes became less of a departure from the average person, ashtrays saw a decline in design and aesthetics beginning more of a shift towards practicality. The subject item is a primitive form of ashtray used in public spaces any time from the 1900 -1960s and is not associated with an historic person or event. However the item could have come from the Warrnambool Town Hall given the inscription on the base of the item.Ash tray-large rectangular floor model made from a wooden box covered with textured metal on the outsideThe metal has a relief design embossed at the top back "smokers" and "Town Hall" printed on bottom.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ash tray

black and white photograph: bare 3 masted sailing ship model, in glass case. No name visible on ship.bendigo, history, golden days historical exhibition

Model Cessna 0.2 Observation Made from plastic. Colours - white (wing), grey (fuselage), black (nose)USAF (on wing) USAF 21393 (on tail)model - plane

A green cover with a whitre label with the words "Model 15 Teletype" on it. Also manual has a white coloured boundingteletype model 15, teletype printer

This microscope belonged to Dr Alec G. Bond and was donated in 2000.Beck microscope, London, Model 29, 13695.Wwith swing out sub-stage with oak carry case.microbiology

Phonograph record cover, beige with promotion for His Master's Voice new model gramophones printed on both sides.

Protectograph Cheque Protector, Model H. Manufactured by C. W. Todd & Company Rochester. N.Y.,U.S.A. No. 322196.commerce, office equipment, protectorgraph cheque protector

Model of a trestle-way over. The trestle was attached to the poppet head and used to move the rocks over the crushing plant.mining, equipment, trestle

A scale model in a glass case of HMAS Vampire with accompanying information sheet of the history, size, capabilities and Vietnam Service.hmas vampire, cerberus collection, model

Made by former internee of Camp 3, Lothar Streker.Handmade model of a shed (open on one side) 4 cookers inside and 2 outside. Skillion roof. Firewood.shed, model, cookers, firewood, camp 3, tatura, ww2 camp 3, handcrafts, models, lothar streker

Made by internee camp 3 Tatura & played with by children in camp.Model of 2 horses on a base with 2 sets of wheels, painted brown; upper side of base green. Handmade.toys, toy horses, toy horses on wheels, camp 3, children, internee woodwork

Colour slide in a mount. Image from a magazine of the Sydney Opera House Model. (Architects: Jorn Utzon and Arup.)Made in Australia / 1 (Handwritten) / Encircled 34 (Handwritten)slide, robin boyd

LACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF GROUP OF THREE PEOPLE AT CLUNES PRIMARY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY - VIEWING A MODEL OF CLUNES SCHOOLlocal history, photography, photographs, schools, 1552

Huttley- MartinB/W: 2 people, Model T. on Slope of hill, with Flat Tire, Woman in long light coat.huttley, martin

Soft covered book with photo on cover of the 3DB Model Kitchen. Printing in black and orange, photo is black and white.The Better Housekeeping Guide 1939books, cookery

This window was previously used in Myer Melbourne Christmas Window displayDigital Photograph Myer (Ballarat) Christmas Window Display showing model of horse drawn tip top vanchristmas windows, tip top, myer, ballarat, sturt street

Colin Garth spoke to Rotary Club of Lakes Entrance about his plans- in March 1998, to build replica of S S GippslandColour photograph showing model of S S Gippsland at Lakes Entrance Rotary Club , Lakes Entrance, Victoriaships and shipping, waterways, topography

Slazengers 'Thors' model racquet with metal head and wood handle. Handle finely grooved. Materials: Wood, Metaltennis

Model Replica of Old Fire Station Building in Byrne Street. On Permanent Loan from Colin Byron Familystawell