Alan Fletcher Space Age Green Brown Melamine Clam Ashtray Spain 1970s NOS

This Clam ashtray by Alan Fletcher is an authentic New Old Stock example of his iconic 1970s space-age design, produced in Spain by EFMEN. Preserved unused from original production, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a factory-fresh example of one of Fletcher’s most recognisable domestic objects.
Manufactured in moulded melamine resin, the piece reflects the material experimentation that defined European design during the 1970s. Melamine, a dense thermoset resin, was particularly suited to smoking accessories due to its hardness, heat resistance, and exceptionally crisp moulded definition. The material gives the ashtray a solid tactile presence, sharp edge articulation, and a smooth, high-gloss surface that remains beautifully preserved in this untouched condition.
The design consists of two interlocking domed halves forming a compact sculptural volume when closed. A distinctive toothed perimeter allows the elements to nest precisely together, creating a rhythmic mechanical edge that becomes visually expressive when opened. The smooth concave interior contrasts with the articulated outer rim, demonstrating Fletcher’s characteristic balance between functional clarity and graphic playfulness.
This version is executed in a rich green and warm brown combination, a particularly earthy and visually grounded palette that emphasises the object’s sculptural mass and organic shell-like geometry. The colour contrast reinforces the clarity of the dome form while highlighting the precision of the moulded melamine.
As New Old Stock, the surfaces retain their original gloss, structural integrity, and sharp detailing, free from use-related wear. Increasingly difficult to source in unused condition — particularly following the closure of EFMEN — examples such as this are becoming progressively more collectible.
Equally suited as a functional ashtray, sculptural tabletop object, or graphic design accent, the Clam stands as a confident expression of 1970s optimism — material-driven, playful, and unmistakably modern.