original bauhaus model: bauhaus ashtray 1926 – design marianne brandt

marianne brandt's design from 1926 exemplifies the development of the metal workshop at the bauhaus from traditional blacksmithing to the birth of industrial design: the cylindrical ashtray is an object that seems to be taken for granted by today's design concepts. precisely worked in the mold, it can be produced in series without manual intervention. the cone of the cylindrical lower part protrudes through the lid as a semi sphere. the conical lid closes exactly to the cone of the cylindrical body. odours are isolated – an ashtray for smokers as well as for non-smokers. this design arose from brandt's wish that "a thing must be as functional and material-appropriate as possible". (oem)