Alan Fletcher Space Age Mustard Melamine Clam Ashtray Spain 1970s NOS

This Clam ashtray by Alan Fletcher is an original 1970s example of his iconic space-age design, produced in Spain by EFMEN and preserved in New Old Stock condition. Never used and retained from original production, this monochrome version highlights the sculptural clarity of the form in its purest expression.
Manufactured in moulded melamine resin, the ashtray reflects the material experimentation that defined European industrial design during the 1970s. Melamine, a dense thermoset resin, offers excellent heat resistance and allows for sharply defined moulded edges and a durable, high-gloss finish. The material gives the piece a substantial tactile quality, with crisp articulation along the distinctive perimeter teeth.
The design consists of two interlocking domed halves that close into a compact sculptural volume. When opened, the rhythmic toothed edge becomes fully visible, creating a mechanical yet organic profile that defines the Clam series. In this single-colour execution, the absence of chromatic contrast emphasises the purity of the geometry and the precision of the moulding. The warm mustard tone enhances the object’s 1970s character while maintaining a refined, cohesive presence.
Unlike the two-tone versions, this monochrome example reads as more sculptural and minimal, allowing the domed silhouette and serrated edge to take visual precedence. It is a particularly strong choice for collectors seeking a subtler yet equally iconic variation within the Fletcher clam family.
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, untouched examples in single-colour finishes are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
Both functional and sculptural, this Clam ashtray stands as a confident expression of 1970s optimism — bold in form, disciplined in colour, and materially precise.