Nobdesigns × Amigos de Partagás — 20th Aniversario Ashtray
For twenty years, a town of nine thousand people in the hills of the Marche has hosted the largest gathering of Habanos aficionados outside Cuba. Matelica is smaller than a single city block in most capitals. Every summer it fills with cigar lovers from all over the world. On 4 July 2026, at the Grand Gala Dinner of the 20th Aniversario, this was placed in the hands of the guests.
The form comes from our cast iron ashtray, developed with techniques inspired by Nambu tekki — the ironware of Iwate, cast continuously for some four hundred years. Iron holds a shape by force. Clay does not. Taking the same silhouette into high-fired ceramic means handing it to a kiln that fights it: at temperature the body moves, and an elongated oval this shallow, carried on a foot this narrow, rarely leaves the fire true.
So every piece is set on a level and checked by hand for symmetry. Roughly one in three passes. The rest are destroyed. This is not a marketing device. It is what the object costs.
It seats one cigar. Not four. A single raised rest, and a pedestal foot that lifts the cigar clear of the linen — because a cigar at a gala table is not something you park while you attend to something else.
Cobalt glaze, with a fine white line where it breaks over the rim. The 20th Aniversario mark of the Encuentro Amigos de Partagás en Italia in the bowl; the Nobdesigns mark on the wall.
A single production run, made once, for the twentieth Encuentro. It is not part of the Nobdesigns catalogue and will not be made again.
Width 18 cm (20 cm with cigar rest) · Depth 8 cm · Height 4.5 cm (6 cm with cigar rest) · Weight approx. 300g
Nobdesigns, Tokyo.
Important Disclaimer & Care Instructions
This ashtray is handmade from Nambu Tekki cast iron. Surface texture and slight color variations are natural.
Care Guide:
- Empty and wipe dry after use
- Avoid prolonged moisture exposure
- Do not soak or place in dishwasher
- Store in a dry environment
Caution:
- Metal parts may get hot after use—avoid direct contact
- Keep away from children and pets
Cigar Cutter: Katana
The Nobdesigns cigar cutter "Katana”, a part of Nobdesigns’ signature series, is designed with an elegant oval motif and crafted with the precision of Japanese traditional craftsmanship.
The cutter’s design reflects Nobdesigns’ commitment to blending traditional Japanese artistry with modern functionality, creating an accessory that is both beautiful and highly effective.
The “Katana” cutter draws inspiration from iconic Japanese tools like samurai swords, kitchen knives, and barber scissors, all renowned for their sharpness and craftsmanship.
The cutter is a masterpiece of of Japanese traditional craftsmanship, designed to provide a perfectly clean cut, enhancing the cigar’s flavor and smoking experience.
