Pocket ashtray belonging to Etta Moten Barnett

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This is a pocket ashtray belonging to Etta Moten Barnett. It consists of a small silver colored metal box with a hinged lid. At the top end of the box is a short metal projection, probably for use as a handle. The metal projection is gold colored and is shaped roughly spindle shaped with a round finial at the end. On the lid of the box is a scene of San Francisco etched into gold colored metal. There is a street scene with tall buildings on either side and two streetcars down the center. In the background is the Golden Gate Bridge. Text arches over the scene in a gold colored banner that reads “SAN FRANCISCO.” Under it is etched the word "CALIFORNIA." There is a tiny catch to depress on the bottom end of the box, causing the lid to flip up.

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗