I’m not too sure what this Brayton Laguna Pottery item was used for, but I’m fairly certain it wasn’t an ashtray. While ashtrays were hugely popular with California potteries in the middle of the century, this doesn’t have the typical grooves that come with ashtrays used for setting down a cigarette. Likewise, it’s a rather strange shape to be some sort of candy or accessory dish.

I think it might be some sort of gardenware related item, maybe a plant or vase stand? In any case, it sort of feels like it was meant to go with something else. The item is marked with a late period in-mold stamp: “Brayton’s Laguna Beach Cal B-60″. I’m thinking of using it as a stand for some of our many pots that we’ve been putting cacti and succulents in.