Iowa Small Metal Tray / Ashtray Souvenir

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

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 more notable sites / details, Iowa’s highlighting: the state capital in Des Moines, the state seal, and what seems an Indian chief in headdress incorporated into a ring of flowers. The state trays featured a map that played loose with actual locations, the point more so to pack in all the notable spots, Iowa’s highlighting (from east to west): Dubuque, Waterloo, Ames, the amazing Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs, as well as many others. 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. [This tray is in very good condition given its 70+ years of age, with only slight age-related tarnish to the white-gold plating. There is a small break along the right-hand side of the fragile rim, the hand-coloration still vibrant.] 

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