Estate Find

Donald E. Fleischman, American (1925-1994)

Marc Bellaire, Incorporated

Ashtray

We offer a triangular ceramic ashtray designed by Donald E. Fleischman operating in California as Marc Bellaire, Incorporated. The ashtray is white with black and gray bands of decorations. The ashtray is signed in script on the base with “Bellaire Calif.”

The ashtray weighs 15.1 ounces and measures 6 1/2” in width and length with a height of 1 7/8”.

As seen in the photographs, there is ash residue and scuffing. The ashtray is in good vintage condition with no chips, cracks, breaks or repairs,

Donald E. Fleischman, (1925-1994)

Donald E. Fleischman was born in 1925 in Toledo, Ohio. He studied at the Toledo Museum of Art while employed at the Libbey Glass Company. Donald moved to California in the early 1950s, worked with Sascha Brastoff Ceramics, and opened a studio in Culver City operating as Marc Bellaire, Incorporated. Bellaire produced high-quality ceramics, often decorated with ultramodern figures and geometric patterns. His most famous line was Mardi Gras, featuring slim dancers in spattered and striped colors. Other popular lines were Jamaica, Balinese, Beachcomber, Friendly Island, Hawaiian, Bird Isle and Kashmir. Marc Bellaire was quite prolific during the 1950s and was named one of the top ten artware designers by Giftware Magazine. Bellaire relocated to Marin County in the 1970s and later moved to Palm Springs where he opened his final studio and gallery. Donald E. Fleischman died in 1994.