Alan Fletcher Space Age Red Melamine Clam Ashtray Spain 1970s NOS Design Objects

This original Clam ashtray designed by Alan Fletcher is a striking example of 1970s European space-age design, produced in Spain by EFMEN and preserved in New Old Stock condition. Unused since manufacture, this monochrome red version emphasises the purity of the form through bold colour and sculptural clarity.
Manufactured in moulded melamine resin, the ashtray reflects the material innovation characteristic of 1970s industrial production. Melamine allowed for precise moulding, crisp structural edges, and a durable high-gloss surface capable of withstanding heat and daily use. The material gives the object a satisfying density and a refined finish that enhances the visual strength of the design.
The piece consists of two interlocking domed halves that close into a compact sculptural volume. When opened, the distinctive serrated perimeter is revealed, forming a rhythmic toothed edge that is both mechanical and organic in character. In this fully monochrome execution, the continuous red surface amplifies the visual impact of the geometry, allowing the silhouette and structural rhythm to take centre stage.
Compared to two-tone versions, the single-colour red variant presents a more graphic and assertive presence. The uninterrupted surface heightens the object’s sculptural identity, transforming it into a bold design statement whether open or closed.
Preserved as New Old Stock, the ashtray retains its original gloss, structural precision, and unused condition. With EFMEN no longer producing these pieces, untouched monochrome examples are increasingly scarce and highly desirable among collectors of post-war European design.
Both functional and sculptural, this Clam ashtray embodies the experimental spirit of the 1970s — expressive, precise, and unmistakably modern.