Vintage Ray Hollis ashtray designed by Philippe Starck. A rare rectangular table ashtray polished aluminum; in great pre-loved condition. Diagonally tilted lid, engraved "Starck" This model is an original first edition model. Not a later model with the engraving on the bottom of the ashtray. Dimensions: 11.1 x 11.7 x 7.3 cm Included in the MoMA Design Collection that contains important works of modern and contemporary art. Born in Paris in 1949, designer Philippe Starck has been described as a provocateur, an advocate of democratic design, and "the superstar of the French design scene." It is said that as a child, Starck would sleep under the drawing table of his father, an inventor and aeronautical engineer. Starck went on to study at École Camondo in Paris but was later quoted as saying that he "learned nothing" there and was instead driven by his own curiosity. One of the pieces originally commissioned in 1986 for the New York Royalton Hotel. This piece was given to our client by Steve Rubbell, co-owner of the Royalton Hotel with Ian Schrager.