In One Ear: Digging Art Deco

Published 6:00 am Thursday, January 8, 2026

Astorian and metal detectorist Don Kelly posted a little reminiscent note on Facebook.

“Years ago, I got permission from an old neighbor,” Don wrote, “at a site where an 1880s mansion stood before it was lost in a fire. 

“One of the items I dug up was this old-looking, and very heavy piece I thought was a piece of a water fountain. And with the figure in the middle, I assumed it was an image of Christ! 

“The weight of this piece made me think it had to be lead. Boy was I wrong! I took the picture, and had Google Lens tell me what it was, and it turned out to be a bronze cigar ashtray. When I saw that the one on eBay was selling for $150, it made my day!” 

The Ear did a little research, too, and found it was quite popular piece, actually called an Art Deco Figural Safari Hunter Tiger Match Holder Ashtray (Bronzed Spelter) at Chairish.com.

The Art Deco period and style, from 1919 to 1939, according to the New York Public Library, “exemplified opulent consumption, crass commercialism, and the acceleration of contemporary life …” (Your trivia nugget for the day.)

Pictured alongside Don’s photo is an ashtray in “original condition unaltered” from the U.K. 

“After all these years,” Don added, “I still gotta love dirt fishin’!” And no wonder. (Photos: Don Kelly/Chairish.com)