Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Smoking Silver Sunday


It is another Silver Sunday, where has the time gone. I wanted to do something a little different today for Beth over at Gypsy Fish Journal and all the others participating in her fabulous blog party. So while think
ing of what to post, I decide to watch a little TV. The movie was Forever Young with Mel Gibson and Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie has Mel as a 1939 test pilot that volunteers to be frozen for a cryogenics experiment and is awoken in 1992. There is a scene showing him sitting in his living room, circa 1939, before the big day.


The camera pans across the room and then, there it is, I see it. It is my greyhound ashtray. In Mel's living room!! I found this piece years ago at a local flea market. I think I paid $5.00. I felt it had an art deco feel. At the very least, it is from the 30's.


Now I don't use the ashtray for its intended purpose. It usually holds candy and sits in front of another flea market find, a silver colored metal pedestal.







When I bought this piece fifteen years or so ago, it had originally come from an estate sale. The top is wood (oak) with a brass plate held down by a brass tack in each corner. It sits on a piece of thick wood with 4 large wooden balls for feet. I have never seen anything like it. Any suggestions?




So there you have it. Thanks Mel for reminding me about my ashtray for this month's Silver Sunday Party. Please be sure to join in for this little silver party, whether tarnished or polished, it is all so fun to visit.

Also don't forget to check out the giveaways hosted by Jill at Gypsy Brocante, by daughter and mother, Sara and Abbey at Sweet Magnolias Farm and Beth at Gypsy Fish Journal. Have a pleasant Sunday.

Sherrie

20 comments:

Rustique Gal said...

Wow, how fun is that to be featured in a Mel movie? I have a matching pair of ashtrays I love, made of scrap formica in different colors each with two bakelite cabinet handles in green. Very 40's I think. They are cute plant stands. I love your blog header and look forward to your posts! Sherry

Gypsy Fish said...

Oh Mel what happened to you? you used to be so...oh, sorry daydreaming for a moment....that ashtray is amazing so shiny and sleak...it's amazing when you don't use them how beautiful they can be. thanks for participating in Silver Sunday...see you next month...
{{gypsy hugs}}
Beth

Donna Rafferty said...

Great looking {famous} ashtray. I'm glad I quit smoking 20 years ago though!

The pedestal is so unique - I wonder what it's original use was?

Happy Silver Sunday!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a pretty piece! I haven't seen ashtrays like that in years.

Laurie said...

Oo...very cool greyhound ashtray!

VS said...

What a Wonderful SILVER SUNDAY you have!!! Thanks for sharing friend.
Smiles,
Susie

Anonymous said...

I remember an ashtray like that long ago at the family home. I have seen people make plant stands out of them. Now I need to ask Mom whatever happened to that old ashtray stand. I could think of a lot of things to do with it. :) I remember watching that movie too. Love him! HSS

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

Nice Art Deco ashtray. We have one simalar but it has a greyhound on the top of it. Thanks for share your pic's Julian

Carrie said...

The ashtray and the pedestal are great Deco era designs.

Joan said...

My parents had a smoking stand when I was growing up. It was nothing as fine as yours. If I didn't know what it was, I think I would just eat gobs and gobs of M & M's out of it!
Thanks for stopping by Applejack Lane.

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Sherrie,
What a nice find and now you can say you were part of a Mel Gibson movie...well sort of!
Not sure all my comments have been posted lately, Blogger and I are having issues.
Hope you're having a good Sunday!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Sherry,
What a lovely Silver Sunday post....Mel and ashtrays, now that's a great combo.

hugs
Sissie

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Love your contribution to Silver Sunday today! Thanks for sharing your Mel Gibson ashtray! It's great.

Stop by tomorrow and join in the fun for my blogaversary!

xoxo
Donna

The French Bear said...

What an awesome candy dish, what's an ashtray!!!! Just kidding, I don't remember the last time I saw one of those, I think I had one and I did a flower arrangement in it!!!! Thanks for sharing your story, that is a great movie!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Sherrie, what a BEAUTIFUL ashtray!! Goes so well with my Deco cigarette lighter!! LOL

We now have just another thing to think good ol' Mel for !!!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Sherrie
thanks for stopping by my way.. I love that greyhound ashtray.. very art deco!!! You've now reminded me we had something similar in our childhood home.. although not as stylish as yours.. what a great find.. and bargain.. Have a wonderful week xx Julie

Jane said...

That ashtray is very cool, forever to be known as the Mel Gibson ashtray. You have Hollywood taste :-)
Jane

Simple Home said...

I love that ashtray. It reminded me that when I was a child, we used to see fancy ashtrays everywhere. Now that no one smokes inside buildings anymore, you no longer see them. Great Silver Sunday post!
Blessings,
Marcia

From the Kitchen said...

I'm so happy to have found your blog. I am a "vintage voyeur". We live in an arts and crafts bungalow that was built in 1921. I would love to one day furnish it to the period and style. In the meantime, I love all things vintage. Thank you for such lovely posts. I shall return!

Best,
Bonnie

Candy Allen - Junk Sophisticate said...

Beautiful post! I wanted to thank you for sharing your blog with me and stopped by to say hello.

Have a great day!
Candy