Alan Fletcher Mini Space Age White Caramel Melamine Clam Ashtray Spain 1970s

This Clam ashtray by Alan Fletcher is the smaller-scale version of his iconic 1970s space-age design, produced in Spain by EFMEN. Preserved as New Old Stock and never used, this example represents a particularly rare variation within the Fletcher clam series, distinguished by its more compact proportions and subtly refined profile.
Manufactured in moulded melamine resin, the ashtray reflects the material innovation that characterised European industrial design during the 1970s. Melamine, a dense thermoset resin, was especially suited to smoking accessories thanks to its hardness, heat resistance, and exceptionally crisp moulded definition. The material gives the object a solid tactile presence despite its reduced scale, along with sharp edge articulation and a smooth, high-gloss surface that remains beautifully preserved in this untouched condition.
Like the larger model, the design consists of two interlocking domed halves that close into a compact sculptural form. The distinctive toothed perimeter allows the elements to nest precisely together, creating a rhythmic mechanical edge that becomes visually expressive when opened. In this smaller version, the proportions feel more concentrated and jewel-like, emphasising the precision of the moulding and the clarity of Fletcher’s geometric language.
This example is executed in a refined white and caramel colour combination. The soft white dome contrasts with the warm caramel base, producing a more subdued and elegant palette compared to the brighter colourways of the series. The pairing enhances the sculptural silhouette while highlighting the smooth transitions between surfaces and the precise interlocking rim.
As New Old Stock, the surfaces retain their original gloss, sharpness, and structural integrity, free from use-related wear. With EFMEN no longer in operation, smaller-format examples such as this are considerably less common and increasingly sought after by collectors.
Both functional and sculptural, the mini Clam ashtray stands as a compact expression of 1970s optimism — playful, material-driven, and precisely engineered.