Featured If this is an ashtray, it's the coolest one I'll ever find..

I can't figure out what else this could be, though I hope you will know. The tongue is hinged (see the metal pivot pin) and lifts up when pressed on the back, leaving a small opening in the "throat" that ashes could fall through, then gravity mostly closes the opening back up (to cut down on smoke?) I don't think it would work with cigarettes, but with a cigar. Or maybe I'm completely barking up the wrong tree and this is for something else??

The base is threaded and unscrews (I showed the front and back of the base). It is missing a chunk on the base but that doesn't bother me. Besides its purpose, where does everyone think it would have been made and when? No marks besides the underglaze "74" written on both pieces and the ceramic wear on the base. I'm thinking europe instead of japan, but maybe not?

 

Would a double edge razor blade slide through the opening?

 

Maybe not meant for razor blades. Most used blade holders seem to be more like banks.

Agree it doesn't look like Japanese pottery. German?

 

Yours is way more cool than this one, which may be a modern knockoff, sort of:

https://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/pr..._art_japan_lion_head_ashtray_ceramic_figurine

 

Don't think razor blades (wouldn't be comfortable getting them safely into the throat without cutting yourself), though not sure about ashtray. Do we have any tobacciana or pipe collectors? Looked it over again closely, and noticed another mark, an impressed number 5 on the inner rim. Makes me thing more likely to be English or European. Calling @Ownedbybear for advice on the pottery?

 

that;s a fun piece....

 

Wonder if this would get any more views if moved to Pottery Glass section; @daveydempsey could you please do that? And putting out a last call for ideas; @Ownedbybear @blooey or anyone else that putters around with old pottery?

 

Sorry mate, got me. No idea, sorry!

 

could it serve as a bank...dropping a coin in the mouth moves the tongue...like it's swallowing the coin...?

 

Neat idea! I just tried it, but the coins don't weigh enough to move the tongue, so they just bunch up and sit on the tongue in the back of the throat. If I lift the tip of the tongue up then the coins fall through and can't be reached anymore. They can of course be retrieved by unscrewing the base.

So I guess it is possible, though not as automatic or well planned as the old cast iron banks I own, so I'm not sure??

 

I thought bank too ... Joy.

 

I'm dredging something from the back of my head. I think it IS smoking related, but the cigar or whatever sort of sat behind the tongue, so it looked as though the beast was smoking.

 

I'm just not seeing an ashtray design here,,,,,,,,,

 

ok...u place the coin...then flip the tongue......?? could be ??

 

@Jeff Drum Really neat item!! When you figure it out, hope you'll post your findings!

 

this WP eBay seller also surmised this is an ashtray

6" MAJOLICA LION ASH TRAY WITH MOVABLE TONGUE | #526652284 (worthpoint.com)

does have some similarities to this more prevalent one
RARE! VINTAGE DRESDEN ART JAPAN LION SMOKER HEAD GLAZED FIGURINE ASHTRAY | #526816259 (worthpoint.com)