This early 20th century ashtray is interesting, literally a "tray", it's actually better suited for holding jewelry or other small objects than any form of burning leaves. Most early ash trays didn't have a groove for the cigarette or cigar to rest in, and some were quite lovely, often not even recognized now as smoking accessories. However, the bas-relief of the stylishly chapeaued lady, her cigarette's undulating floral-enhanced ring of smoke circling her head, clearly shows the purpose of this piece. Unmarked and made of very heavy cast brass with remnants of the original gilding, it measures about 7½" x 6".
Similar Art Nouveau period ash trays were also made of bronze, pewter and silver. The German firm WMF (Württembergische MetallwarenFabrik) produced a bit more delicately featured smoking lady in silverplated pewter, also offering the same design without the cigarette as a card tray; and American manufacturer Unger Bros. made a line of sterling silver ash trays (1904 catalog page below).
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