An unusual object inside an old Berlin bar bathroom turned out to be a vintage wall-mounted ashtray from an era when indoor smoking was ubiquitous.
Designed for utility, these fixtures featured ridges to hold cigarettes, a catch basin for ash, and durable metal construction built for constant public use.
Many were left on walls after smoking bans were enacted because they were difficult to remove from tile or added to the venue’s historic charm.
This small, overlooked remnant serves as a tangible piece of social history, illustrating how dramatically everyday public spaces and habits evolve over time.
