In my small library at New Bellevue House, there is a green glazed ashtray crafted long ago in Limoges in France. It belonged to my father, who may not have noticed its beauty or thought about it much at all, but he knew enough to keep it. There’s a great white stag with immense antlers in bas relief on two sides, the animal reclining majestically on a heraldic wreathy line of partition, as if plucked from an aristocratic coat of arms. On the other two sides, in big letters, also in white, are HINE COGNAC. The ashtray sits atop a Fortnum and Mason hamper in front of the large couch. The library has a humidor, along with this fine ashtray, but does not smell of tobacco. These aren’t the most interesting items in the small, bookish room.
© 2024 John Oliver
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