Bulldog - Ashtray - eckig - Earthenware - ashtray

A rare Guinness Bulldog Bottle Beer Advertising Match Striker Holder (in English often referred to as a Vintage Guinness Bulldog Match Striker/Holder) is an extremely coveted collectible from the field of historic brewing promotions (Tobacciana & Breweriana).

Such objects usually date from the late 19th or early 20th century and were placed directly on the pub bar to allow customers to light pipe or cigarette flames.

Historical background & significance
The Bulldog as a symbol: While Guinness is today best known for the Harp logo or the Toucan, the Bulldog was often used as an advertising figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It stood for British-Irish tradition, strength, and reliability. In export markets such as Malaysia, the beer was historically even called “Black Dog Beer” because of the logo on the old bottles.
How it works: These holders typically have a rough, ribbed surface (often on the underside, the base, or the back of the dog) which serves as the friction surface (Striker) for strike-anywhere matches. The hollow part (e.g., the head or a nearby placed barrel) held the unignited matches.

Typical material variants & versions
The rare advertising match holders were manufactured in different materials depending on the production period:
- Cast iron or bronze: Heavy cast metal figures with the friction surface directly incorporated into the metal.
- Ceramic or earthenware: Often produced by renowned English manufacturers such as Mintons or Carlton Ware on behalf of breweries. These variants usually feature colored advertising inscriptions such as "Guinness's Stout" or the name of the bottle filler of that time.

Value and collector market
Due to their age and the fact that many were damaged in pubs by moisture or falls, well-preserved originals today fetch high three-figure, rarely even four-figure amounts.

The object shown is a rare antique advertising ashtray with integrated match striker holder (often also called a Vesta Holder or Match Striker) from the British brand Robert Porter & Co..

Details about the object
Product & brand: The inscription advertises the drink "Bull Dog" Bottled Beer. The round logo at the top shows the historic export label with a Bulldog.
Manufacturer: These beers were distributed by the famous London bottling company Robert Porter & Co. Ltd.. They filled, under the well-known brand "Bull Dog," among other beers like Guinness Stout, Bass Ale, and others for worldwide export.
Material: The base consists of glazed ceramic (earthenware) with blue transfer decoration.
Function: The design depicts a lying beer bottle on a pedestal. In the middle of the bottle there is a recess where matches could be placed. The rough, unglazed or textured surface on the edges was used at the time to strike strike-anywhere matches.

Damages:
- 4 small chips on the bottom
- 1 chip on the side
- Slight chip on the bottle head

Otherwise good condition!!!