Beck & Jung ashtrays

This large collection of “Ultima” ashtrays was designed by Holger Bäckström and Bo Ljungberg, the artist duo known as Beck & Jung, and produced in Denmark during the 1970s for Diverse Ting, a gallery and design retailer in Malmö, Sweden. Each ashtray is cast from solid aluminum and features a geometric grid-like surface composed of rounded recesses intended to hold cigarettes or cigars. While consistent in size and overall form, the collection presents a range of finishes—from raw, oxidized surfaces to highly polished tops. One piece stands out with an anodized or lacquered orange base, providing a striking color contrast within the set.

The design of the Ultima ashtray is modular and sculptural, blending industrial precision with artistic abstraction. The repetitive concave forms on the top surface serve both a functional role and create a rhythmic visual pattern. This gives the objects a brutalist aesthetic typical of late modern Scandinavian metalwork. Beyond their utilitarian purpose, these ashtrays can be appreciated as tabletop sculptures or paperweights, merging form and function seamlessly.

Beck & Jung operated at the intersection of art, design, and digital experimentation, recognized for their conceptual approach and pioneering use of emerging technologies in visual arts. Their work frequently explores themes of repetition, algorithmic patterns, and object typology. The Ultima ashtrays embody this aesthetic, offering a tactile and architectural reinterpretation of a commonplace item.

The collection is in good vintage condition, showing typical signs of age and use. Surface wear, oxidation, and discoloration are evident on many pieces, consistent with aluminum’s material properties and the passage of time. Some ashtrays maintain a matte, industrial finish, while others have developed a smoother, more reflective patina.

Each ashtray measures 15 cm in width and depth, with a height of 5.5 cm, approximately 5.9 x 5.9 x 2.2 inches. This collection illustrates a unique convergence of art and design within Scandinavian modern metalwork.