Every Smoker Had One In The '60s — The Bold Ashtray That Gives Table Décor Vintage Charm

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As the percentage of smokers in the United States continues to decline, uses for ashtrays — a once-popular household item you rarely see anymore – have also declined. However, you don't need to be a smoker to appreciate the artistry of vintage ashtrays. And while they may seem like very utilitarian items, ashtrays can be turned into beautiful pieces to enhance your home's interior style. One special ashtray to be on the hunt for at your local thrift store or garage sales is a Higgins fused glass ashtray. In the '60s, you might have found one in every smoker's household, but now they can be repurposed into stylish vintage décor pieces.

Married couple Michael and Frances Higgins, who founded Higgins Glass in 1948, helped to bring fused glass techniques back into popularity. Although the techniques have been used since the time of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Higginses breathed new life into their pieces, combining aesthetics with functionality.

Most of their iconic ashtrays date to their partnership with the Dearborn Glass Company, which helped them mass-produce so-called "Higginsware" until the mid-1960s. In 1966, the Higginses opened their own studio to focus more on the artistic applications of fused glass. Their glass work from the late 1950s and 1960s is remembered for its great range, including all kinds of ashtray styles. Today, ashtrays sell for as low as $40 or as high as ~$400, depending on the size of the piece and the general rarity of the pattern.

Although Higgins Studio remains operational today, the modern studio only produces ornaments, mobiles, tableware, vases, jewelry, and circular and square Rondelays. That makes an authentic Higgins fused glass ashtray one of the most valuable trinkets from the '60s to always look for at thrift stores. To identify authentic Higginsware, check for a signature on the bottom of a piece. Real Higgins fused glass ashtrays will display a gold-screened signature reading "higgins" in lowercase letters.

While working with the Dearborn Glass Company, the Higginses developed and produced over 75 unique patterns of art glass and fused glass for mass production. Ashtray sizes varied, which means you might find an ashtray that's 4 inches one day and one that's 15 inches the next. One of the most clever ways to repurpose unused ashtrays around your home is to add it as table décor. The bigger styles can serve as unique centerpieces for a dining table, while the smaller trays can be a unique dish for keys or other small objects.

Higgins ashtrays also came in dazzling colors and could be round, rectangular, or even abstract in shape. Look out for the Starburst pattern, which features multicolored glass bursting out in rays from the center of the tray. Pair this with bright colors and a futuristic vase for a simple table display. Another popular pattern was the Barbaric Jewels design, which showcases colorful glass gemstones fused into smooth glass alongside gold accents. This Barbaric Jewels Ashtray, for example, is available on Etsy for $95 and would look at home surrounded by psychedelic-themed fabrics or even a vintage lava lamp.