Ashtray, by design.

Another cool retro piece seen in the House of Caper, Search Room.

Consider this:
An ashtray designed to sit on a desk or table, serving only one individual (given the sloped angle of its mouth and single cigarette holder cut-out on the bottom edge.) Heavy, quality crafted glass. Deep beautiful color reflecting the overall decor. As you can see from the number of paperclips it now holds, the bowl's capacity is substantial. Presumably, one of many emptied of butts and ashes every night. Used inside a government building. Created for a multiple pack user and/or solitary researcher? Marker of an era and its habits.

Tales from Jackson — at MDAH Historic Preservation Division.