Antique Copper Ashtray / Printing Plate of Rev. Edmund Squire, Boston painted lacquer box 3" tall x 2

3" tall x 2

I found her at a wonderful estate sale chock full of mid-century and contemporary ceramics

Perfect condition but for a tiny dark scuff mark on her nose

and just a fabulous object to have around

which included fine antique and contemporary items from around the world

Antique Copper Ashtray / Printing Plate of Rev. Edmund Squire, Boston painted lacquer box 3" tall x 2This is one of the most curious ashtrays I have encountered, with a very interesting history! Made of copper, at its center is the inscribed name backwards of "Rev. Edmund Squire." A bit of research informs me that Squire was the founder of the Pilgrim Church in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, who, on Nov. 2, 1862the second year of the Civil Warconvened 16 people at his Dorchester home to unite themselves into what they called an unsectarian Church