Alessi produces an ashtray in two sizes which, despite its modern appearance, was made in silver-plated metal by Bacci in Bologna, then taken over by Achille Castiglioni in 1986, who made a few changes to the shape and size. Its round shape and spiral spring (hence the name) make it a particularly practical and attractive everyday accessory. The Spirale ashtray is a design object that helps "distracted" smokers hold on to their cigarettes by preventing them from falling out thanks to its spiral spring. Available in two sizes, the Spirale ashtray is a stunning design that can be placed anywhere in the home: on the living room table, in the dining room or in the office.
Born in Milan in 1918, Achille Castiglioni, like his brother Pier Giacomo, studied architecture at the Milan Polytechnic. He graduated in 1944 and joined his two older brothers in their design studio in Milan. Their work stands out for its particular conception of products through a logical analysis of the functions that the object must fulfil and the means to achieve this. The design, which is very pure, comes next to enable the object to perform its functions. Between 1950 and 1960, the Castiglioni brothers designed a number of products for major brands such as Flos, which produced the Arco floor lamp, a design classic, and Zanotta, for which they created the famous Mezzadro stool with a tractor saddle. The death of Pier Giacomo in 1968 put an end to the collaborations. When his brother died, Achille Castiglioni continued to design products such as the Lampadina and the Scrittarello desk. He also devotes much of his time to teaching design, first in Turin and then in Milan.
2.
ALESSI
In 1921, Giovanni Alessi founded the Italian company Alessi. Since 1929, the company has focussed on producing nickel- or silver-plated copper tableware. When Carlo Alessi, Giovanni's son, was appointed design director in 1935, handcrafting methods were replaced by industrial manufacturing. In 1955, the company began collaborating with world-renowned architects and designers such as Richard Sapper, Ettore Sottsass, and later, Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders. Alessi makes design accessible by focussing on useful, humorous and visually appealing home accessories. Most of its products have become design classics that are sold and exhibited around the world.