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Kalo Smokers' Trays

 

In the early part of the 20th century, smoking was considered glamorous.   Today, smokers are reviled and banished to the outdoors.  But even those who loathe the airborne pollution and are horrified by its deleterious health consequences may grudgingly admit the forbidden pleasure in those old gauzy black-and-white films when seeing a sleek, sultry, silken, well-coiffed jewel-bedecked ingénue with a thin cigarette holder swaying in one hand, or a handsome, chiseled leading man in a bespoke tuxedo sipping from a martini glass while deftly flicking an ember from a casually held Chesterfield.

 

Like most addictions, smoking has its rituals and accessories.  The trays here are compartmentalized to organize the various paraphernalia associated with cigarette or pipe use.  Or, there may have been a darker nudge-nudge-wink-wink high-society usage associated with these; the well-to-do sometimes dabbled in illicit substances (some of which weren't illegal at the time), and these trays were perfect for all the little accoutrements required for enjoyment.

 

The architectural partitioning of these trays creates an interesting play of lines, rectangles, and shadows, and makes them interesting visually.  They are also fashioned from Kalo's fine, heavy, rectangular line of trays that are relatively rare.  As massive, elegant, beautifully crafted pieces these trays are wonderful.  Along with their nicely made accessories, they're works of art.

 

Kalo tray, smokers, rectangular, large, with matching matchbox and ashtray accessories (total 13 pieces).  Tray has broad raised border and five interior partitions, applied "JPH" mono on each side, applied wire on back of rim.

Smokers' tray, rectangular, large, with matching matchbox and ashtray accessories.  Tray has broad raised border and five interior partitions, applied "JPH" mono on each side, applied wire on back of rim.  Matching set of six (6) matchbox holders has open ends and cutouts on side, engraved "JPH" mono on top.  Matching set of six (6) ashtrays, octagonal, have applied wire on rim, flat bottoms, gently flaring sides, and fit snugly in the leftmost and rightmost partitions.  Heavy and nicely hammered.  Tray:  18-15/16" L and 9-7/8" W and 7/16" H.  Matchbox Holders:  1-11/16" L and 1-1/8" W and 5/8" H.  Ashtrays:  2-1/2" W and 2-1/2" L and 13/16" H.  Tray:  STERLING / HAND WROUGHT / AT / THE KALO SHOP / X221.  Matchbox Holders:  STERLING KALO.  Ashtrays:  STERLING / KALO / G

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Kalo smokers' tray, rectangular with broad raised border and three interior partitions, raised match holder with applied JMS mono in interlocking style.

Smokers' tray, rectangular with broad raised border and three interior partitions, raised match holder with applied JMS mono in interlocking style.  14-3/4" L and 8-11/16" W and 3-7/8" H.  STERLING / HAND WROUGHT / AT / THE KALO SHOP / X220

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Kalo tray, smokers, rectangular with matching removable lighter (2 pieces).

Kalo tray, smokers, rectangular with matching removable lighter (2 pieces).

Lighter from Kalo tray, smokers, rectangular with matching removable lighter (2 pieces).

Smokers' tray, rectangular with matching removable lighter (2 pieces).  Tray has broad raised border that curves up from the bottom and two deep recessed interior troughs, applied "SMJM" mono on edge, applied wire to rim.  The two troughs are separated by a wide raised area bisecting the middle and holding a small applied open rectangular receptacle with short walls and heavy applied wire that forms a snug holder for a detachable lighter.  The lighter is a heavy sealed rectangular box with a thick applied handle at one end formed with four right angles, and a removable wick protruding from a small cylinder atop a silver disk that sits on a larger cylinder.  Very heavy and nicely hammered throughout.  12-5/8" L and 8-7/16" W and 3/4" H.  STERLING / HAND WROUGHT / AT / THE KALO SHOPS / CHICAGO / 11615

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