Grotto of The Redemption West Bend, Iowa Small Metal Tray / Ashtray Souvenir

MID-AMERICA + THE PLAINS. 
Home Decor, Decorative Tray / Ashtray, Souvenir, c. 1950. 

These small metal trinket trays / ashtrays (which incorporated tell-tale cigarette rest notches) were very popular for a run of years following World War II. Sold in souvenir shops across America and Canada when smoking was still very much a mainstream habit, these trays, each with a specific regional connection, were bought as memorabilia of trips taken / sights-seen and certainly given as gifts to family and friends. The trays were mass-produced by way of intricate custom molds, be it a state or a site, with the finished piece lightly hand-painted to pull out details unique to each tray. The rim would contain the title and notable details, this tray including embossed roses to frame the Grotto’s title. Site trays stuck to highlighting specific scenes, with the Grotto’s including both symbolic and actual scenes: Christ being removed from the cross and a grand entryway into the Grotto itself. The life long work of Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein, it is said that after falling ill as a young man he promised to build a shrine to Mother Mary should he pull through. He did, was appointed to lead a new diocese in north central Iowa, and in West Bend set to work. Built stone by stone starting in 1912, the beautiful hand-crafted and carefully chosen material includes an amazing range of geology: “petrified wood, malachite, azurite, agates, geodes, jasper, quartz, topaz, calcite, stalactites, and stalagmites,” the Father’s work having been supplemented by visitors ever since. As with all the small trays in this souvenir series, it bears the mark: “Made in Japan.” This will seem curious considering the violent events of the early-mid 20th century. Here is a bit more background … Following Japan’s surrender in September 1945 ending World War II, Japan was a military occupied country. This continued until the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1952 returned national sovereignty to the island nation. Once international trade was allowed to resume in 1947, the General Headquarters of the Allied Forces (GHQ a mostly American military government charged with running the conquered nation) mandated that export items carry the label: “Made in Occupied Japan.” The directive was updated in 1949 for use minus the word “Occupied.” As a result these two labels “Made in Occupied Japan” and “Made in Japan” (often just “Japan”) can be dated with specificity to the 15 years following the Second World War. They have become markers for valuable vintage memorabilia. [The tray is in good condition, its thin rim still intact. Much of the hand-coloring has faded, but the symbolism still shines through.] 

Condition: Used Good. 
Local / Regional Attractions. 
Dimensions: 5” wide x 3.75” high x 0.25” deep / 4 oz