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

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 an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire a factory-fresh specimen of one of Fletcher’s most recognisable and sculptural domestic objects.
Manufactured in moulded melamine resin, the ashtray reflects the material innovation that defined much European industrial design of the period. Melamine, a dense thermoset resin, was especially well suited to smoking accessories thanks to its hardness, heat resistance, and exceptionally crisp moulded definition. The material gives the object a solid tactile presence, precise edge articulation, and a smooth high-gloss surface that remains beautifully preserved in this untouched condition.
The design is composed 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 ability to merge functional clarity with playful geometric form.
This version is executed in a vibrant green and warm yellow combination — one of the most visually lively and characterful palettes in the series. The green dome emphasises the organic shell-like form, while the saturated yellow base introduces brightness and contrast typical of 1970s space-age colour language. When separated, the bold monochrome interiors highlight the precision of the moulded melamine and the object’s architectural simplicity.
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, unused examples such as this are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
Equally suited as a functional ashtray, sculptural tabletop object, or collectible design piece, the Clam stands as a confident expression of 1970s optimism — material-driven, playful, and unmistakably modern.