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

This Clam ashtray by Alan Fletcher is the smaller-scale version of his iconic 1970s space-age design, produced in Spain by EFMEN and preserved in New Old Stock condition. Never used and retained from original production, this compact variation represents a refined and increasingly scarce format within the Fletcher clam series.
Manufactured in moulded melamine resin, the piece reflects the material innovation characteristic of European industrial design in the 1970s. Melamine, a dense thermoset resin, provides excellent heat resistance and exceptional mould precision, allowing for sharply defined edges and a smooth, high-gloss surface. Even at a reduced scale, the object maintains a substantial tactile presence and crisp structural clarity.
The design is composed of two interlocking domed halves that close into a compact sculptural form. A distinctive toothed perimeter allows the elements to nest precisely together, creating the rhythmic mechanical edge that defines the Clam series. In this smaller format, 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 striking white and red colour combination. The clean white dome provides a bright, minimal upper volume, while the saturated red base introduces strong graphic contrast and visual energy. The colour division accentuates the flowing perimeter rhythm where the two halves meet, reinforcing the sculptural character of the design while reflecting the bold chromatic language of 1970s space-age interiors.
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 — particularly in strong graphic colour pairings — are increasingly sought after by collectors.
Both functional and sculptural, the mini Clam ashtray stands as a compact yet expressive example of 1970s optimism — playful, material-driven, and precisely engineered.