Significance
Smoking became common in The Netherlands as a result of trade with the West Indies. The Jan Steen illustrations of typical chaotic households were well known and eventually came to be used to poke fun at excessive tidiness.
Physical description
A round pewter ashtray with a scene from a Jan Steen interior in the centre bowl section. 4 cigarette resting places are round the outside edge.
Inscriptions & markings
The outside edge is decorated with scroll type engravings. A pewter manufacturer's mark is impressed on the reverse side of the bowl.
