Vintage Hermès Porcelain Ashtrays: A Small Object With Serious Collector Appeal

When most people think of Hermès, they think of the Birkin bag or the silk scarf. But tucked away in a quieter corner of the brand's history is a category that's developed a genuinely devoted following among collectors: the Hermès porcelain ashtray. We currently have three beautiful pieces in our collection at Grace & Joy, and we wanted to share a little of the history and appeal behind them.

A house tradition since the 1960s

Hermès began producing porcelain ashtrays in the 1960s as part of its wider home and decorative objects collection, sitting alongside change trays, boxes, and other small luxury accessories. In the early days, individual pieces were even numbered, which collectors today treat as a mark of real provenance and age. While Hermès no longer numbers its ashtrays, the early numbered pieces remain especially prized by serious collectors.

What's striking is how the brand approached even something as small and everyday as an ashtray with the same level of craftsmanship and design ambition as its leather goods. Each piece typically features a hand-painted or printed motif at the centre, finished with gilded or platinum-painted edges and notches, and stamped with the Hermès Paris mark.

Why the designs matter so much

Hermès ashtrays draw heavily on the equestrian and countryside imagery the house is known for. Horses, hounds, hunting scenes, carriages and birds are recurring themes, alongside more playful motifs like fireworks, golf, or rodeo scenes. Some pieces feature artwork by recognised Hermès collaborators and illustrators, which adds an extra layer of interest for collectors who follow specific artists across the brand's wider output, from scarves to home objects.

Because Hermès produced such a wide variety of designs over the decades, no single collector, or dealer, for that matter, has a complete picture of how many different patterns exist. That sense of an open-ended treasure hunt is part of what makes these pieces so appealing to collect, whether you're chasing a particular motif or simply drawn to the craftsmanship.

What to look for when buying

If you're considering adding a Hermès ashtray to your collection, here's what's worth paying attention to:

Condition of the gilding. Light wear to gold or platinum trim is common and, for many collectors, is simply read as a natural sign of age and authenticity rather than a flaw.

Authenticity markers. Genuine pieces are stamped "HERMÈS PARIS" and often feature the artist's name alongside the design where applicable. Numbered pieces from the earliest production years are particularly sought after.

Use beyond ashtrays. Many collectors today don't use these pieces for their original purpose at all — they work beautifully as ring dishes, catch-alls for keys and jewellery, or simply as decorative objects on a console table or desk.

Pairing and display. Because the designs vary so widely, a small grouping of two or three pieces with a shared theme (horses, birds, hunting motifs) can make for a striking display, which is part of why many collectors end up acquiring more than one.

The pieces we have available

We currently have three vintage Hermès porcelain ashtrays in stock, each with its own character and motif. Given how sought-after these pieces are and how infrequently good examples come up, we don't expect them to be around for long.

If you'd like more detail or photos of the specific pieces we have, get in touch via Instagram @grace_and_joy_co or browse what's currently listed at graceandjoy.ie.