Air India Surrealist Ashtray Porcelain by Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989). An extremely unique and storied ashtray designed by Salvador Dali for Air India. Parcel-glazed bisque porcelain. Stamped signature. Edition size unknown (estimated to be between - 500 to 800). Decorated by Jules Teissonniere. Made by Limoges, France.
Read the full story behind the ashtray in Conde Nast Traveller. A small portion of the story from Conde Nast can be found below:
In 1967, Jot Singh, the then public relations officer of Air India, happened to meet Salvador Dali in New York City. Air India, by then, was a vast collector of art. Singh asked Dali to create something for the airline. The Spanish surrealist obliged and designed a small unglazed porcelain ashtray with a shell-shaped centre and a serpent around the perimeter supported by two surrealist headstands--a swan on one side and elephant on the other. Beautiful. When it came to fees, Dali asked for an elephant! Why? " I wish to keep him in my olive grove and watch the patterns of shadows the moonlight makes through the twigs on his back," he is reported to have said.
This unique work of art was presented to first class travelers, art lovers and important friends of Air India globally. One piece was presented to Prince Juan Carlos of Spain (King of Spain) in 1967.
Size: 3 1/2" h x 6 1/4" w x 5" d
Condition: Light surface dirt. Overall good condition.
. An extremely unique and storied ashtray designed by Salvador Dali for Air India. Parcel-glazed bisque porcelain. Stamped signature. Edition size unknown (estimated to be between - 500 to 800). Decorated by Jules Teissonniere. Made by Limoges, France.
Read the full story behind the ashtray in Conde Nast Traveller. A small portion of the story from Conde Nast can be found below:
In 1967, Jot Singh, the then public relations officer of Air India, happened to meet Salvador Dali in New York City. Air India, by then, was a vast collector of art. Singh asked Dali to create something for the airline. The Spanish surrealist obliged and designed a small unglazed porcelain ashtray with a shell-shaped centre and a serpent around the perimeter supported by two surrealist headstands--a swan on one side and elephant on the other. Beautiful. When it came to fees, Dali asked for an elephant! Why? " I wish to keep him in my olive grove and watch the patterns of shadows the moonlight makes through the twigs on his back," he is reported to have said.
This unique work of art was presented to first class travelers, art lovers and important friends of Air India globally. One piece was presented to Prince Juan Carlos of Spain (King of Spain) in 1967.
Size: 3 1/2" h x 6 1/4" w x 5" d
Condition: Light surface dirt. Overall good condition.&url=www.indexgalleries.com/art/Air-India-Surrealist-Ashtray-Porcelain-by-Salvador-Dali/663 "Pin It")
