Rare Vintage Ucagco Japan – 1911 Ford Touring Car Collectible Ashtray
Hard-to-Find Asymmetrical Design | Double Cigarette Rest | Original Ucagco Japan Label | Mid-Century Collectible
A Distinctive Piece of Automotive & Tobacco History
Offered here is a beautiful and increasingly hard-to-find vintage ceramic ashtray featuring a detailed illustration of the legendary 1911 Ford Touring Car, a celebrated automobile from the early years of American motoring.
Made in Japan and distributed by Ucagco (United China and Glass Company), this collectible piece is believed to date from approximately 1946–1956, based on its surviving original red-and-silver foil identification label.
What makes this particular ashtray especially interesting is its unusual, asymmetrical shape and distinctive double cigarette-rest arrangement, setting it apart from many other vintage automobile-themed ashtrays found on the collectible market.
A Rarely Seen Double-Rest Configuration
One of the most striking features of this piece is its unconventional design.
Many vintage ceramic ashtrays featuring classic automobiles were produced in more traditional symmetrical shapes, often with cigarette rests positioned on opposite sides or distributed around the perimeter.
This example is noticeably different.
* Both cigarette rests are positioned side by side on the RIGHT side of the ashtray.
* The two parallel rests feature decorative gold-tone accents.
* The body has a flowing, asymmetrical, irregularly rounded shape rather than a conventional symmetrical oval or circular design.
* Its spacious central bowl prominently displays the beautifully illustrated 1911 Ford Touring Car.
* A delicate gold-colored border follows the distinctive outer contour.
During our research of comparable vintage Ford Touring Car ashtrays across online marketplaces, examples featuring other cigarette-rest arrangements were found. However, an exact match combining this particular shape, illustration, and two adjacent right-side cigarette rests has proven exceptionally difficult to locate.
This makes the piece a particularly interesting find for collectors seeking unusual variations of vintage automotive ashtrays.
While the original production quantity is unknown, this specific configuration appears to be notably uncommon among currently discoverable examples.
Ucagco History & Original Japanese Label
The underside retains its original red-and-silver metallic foil label, reading:
UCAGCO – CERAMICS – JAPAN
Ucagco stands for the United China and Glass Company, an American importer and distributor of decorative ceramics, tableware, and giftware, with offices in New Orleans and New York.
The company’s history dates back to the 19th century, and it became particularly recognized for importing decorative Japanese ceramics during the post-World War II period.
Ucagco worked with Japanese pottery producers to supply a wide variety of decorative and household objects for the American market.
According to collector references, the distinctive red-and-silver Ucagco Ceramics Japan foil label is generally associated with approximately 1946–1956.
This suggests that the ashtray was produced during the late 1940s to mid-1950s, although the exact manufacturing year has not been independently documented.
The original foil label remains attached, providing valuable evidence of the piece’s Japanese origin and Ucagco distribution history.
The survival of this original label is an appealing detail for collectors, as paper and foil labels on vintage ceramics were frequently damaged or lost over time.
The Historic 1911 Ford Touring Car
The central illustration features a beautifully detailed early Ford Touring Car with its distinctive open passenger body, folding canopy, brass-colored lamps and radiator, spoked wheels, and classic red and brown color palette.
Beneath the automobile, the original printed inscription reads:
“Ford Touring Car 1911”
The illustrated vehicle represents an important period in early American automotive history, when Ford automobiles were helping transform transportation and personal mobility.
Please note: The date 1911 refers to the automobile depicted, not the production year of the ceramic ashtray itself.
This combination of early automotive imagery and mid-century Japanese decorative ceramics gives the piece an attractive crossover appeal.
Measurements & Details
* Brand / Distributor: Ucagco (United China and Glass Company)
* Origin: Japan
* Estimated Production Era: Circa 1946–1956
* Featured Automobile: Ford Touring Car 1911
* Material: Glazed ceramic
* Color: Glossy white with multicolored automobile illustration
* Accents: Gold-tone rim and cigarette rests
* Shape: Asymmetrical / irregular rounded design
* Cigarette Rests: Two parallel rests, both located on the right side
* Original Label: Red-and-silver Ucagco Ceramics Japan foil label
* Length: Approximately 8.5 inches
* Width: Approximately 7 inches
* Height: Approximately 2 inches
* Actual Item Weight: 1 lb 2.2 oz (approximately 516 grams)
* Quantity: One vintage collectible ashtray
Measurements are approximate. Please refer to the measurement photographs for additional details.
Vintage Condition
This is an authentic vintage, previously owned piece showing signs of age and handling.
The glossy white ceramic surface retains its attractive appearance, and the central automobile illustration remains colorful and clearly visible.
Some light surface marks, fine scratches, small spots, and areas of wear to the gold-tone decorative trim are visible, consistent with its vintage character.
The original underside label is still present, with some age-related wear and creasing.
No obvious major cracks or breaks are apparent in the supplied photographs. Please carefully examine all photographs, including close-up images, as they form an important part of the condition description.
This piece is offered in its existing vintage condition.
A Unique Addition to a Serious Collection
This distinctive ashtray would make a wonderful addition to collections of:
* Vintage Ford automobiles and early motoring memorabilia
* Antique and classic car collectibles
* Vintage tobacciana and ceramic ashtrays
* Japanese mid-century decorative ceramics
* Ucagco pottery and vintage Japanese imports
* Unusual, hard-to-find decorative objects
* Automotive-themed home, office, garage, or man cave decor
Its uncommon asymmetrical design, unusual side-by-side cigarette rests, surviving original Japanese label, and beautiful historic Ford illustration make it especially appealing as a collectible display piece.
For collectors who appreciate variations, unusual shapes, and distinctive examples of vintage automotive memorabilia, this Ucagco ashtray is a particularly interesting piece to discover.
A charming combination of Japanese mid-century craftsmanship, American automotive nostalgia, and classic collectible design.
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Photo Disclosure: The last listing image is AI-generated for illustrative and display purposes only. It shows a suggested vintage setting with a cigarette and decorative accessories. All remaining photographs show the actual item for sale. Cigarette and background accessories are not included.
Please review all photographs carefully before purchasing. The exact vintage ashtray shown in the actual product photographs is the item you will receive.
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