Very Rare 1930s Art Deco 21 Club Jockey Ashtray, Metal & Ceramic Equestrian Smoking Accessory
This exceptionally rare and substantial 1930s Art Deco jockey ashtray is a striking and historically important equestrian-themed smoking accessory, strongly attributed to the legendary 21 Club, New York. Combining sculptural cast metal with elegant glazed ceramic, the piece exemplifies the club’s distinctive blend of theatrical flair, sporting tradition, and Jazz Age glamour.
At the center stands a cast metal jockey figure, depicted in a confident contrapposto stance atop an elevated mound. The jockey wears a classic red racing coat with yellow cuffs and buttons, a coordinating red-and-yellow jockey cap, white riding pants, and black and brown leather riding boots. One arm is outstretched holding a metal ring, while the other rests at the hip, conveying poise, movement, and authority, hallmarks of strong Art Deco figural design. The paint retains its vibrant coloration, with expected wear consistent with age and use (see photographs).
The figure is mounted on a circular white ceramic ashtray, elegantly finished with a thin gold band along the rim and three gold-painted divots designed for resting cigars or cigarettes. The underside is fitted with brown felt, protecting surfaces and suggesting careful long-term use; the felt appears clean and may have been replaced at some point. The jockey is firmly secured to the base with no movement or instability.
Founded in 1922, the 21 Club quickly became one of the most iconic private dining establishments in American history, renowned for its décor celebrating horse racing, jockey silks, equestrian trophies, and sporting culture. Jockey figures, both sculptural and decorative, were central to the club’s visual identity and appeared throughout its interiors in everything from wall mounts to bar accessories.
Objects associated with the 21 Club were produced in extremely limited quantities, often for in-house use only or as special commissions, making surviving examples exceptionally rare. While this piece is unsigned and unmarked, extensive stylistic research and comparison strongly support its identification as an early 21 Club accessory, consistent with known jockey-themed ashtrays and sculptures from the period.
Painted metal jockey shows expected wear to painted surfaces
Ceramic ashtray in very good vintage condition
Mild glaze crazing, no chips, cracks, or losses
Minor wear to gold accents
Felt base clean, possibly replaced
Jockey securely mounted with no looseness or wobble
Art Deco 21 Club artifacts, particularly those incorporating horse racing, jockey figures, and equestrian motifs, are among the most sought-after hospitality collectibles of the early 20th century. Large-format ashtrays of this quality, combining figural sculpture, ceramic, and metal, are exceedingly scarce, especially in this level of preservation.
During the late 19th and early early 20th centuries, African American jockeys were among the most celebrated and highly respected athletes in American sport, dominating professional horse racing at its highest levels. In the decades following the Civil War, Black jockeys...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Felt Furniture