Archive · 25 Jun 2025
Dalí Ashtray and Elephant Exchange: Air India Artifact Display
Imagine a famous artist, Dalí, making a special ashtray for an airline, Air India.
He got a baby elephant in return!
The ashtray looks like a swan, but turn it upside down, and it looks like an elephant.
Air India gave these ashtrays to important people.
The elephant traveled from India to Spain and went to Dalí's house.
You can now see the ashtray in a special art show that has lots of cool things Air India collected, like art and decorations from around the world.
Salvador Dalí designed an ashtray for Air India in 1967, in exchange for an elephant.
The ashtray design features a swan that appears as an elephant when inverted, with a shell-shaped center and a serpent.
Air India commissioned approximately 500-1,000 ashtrays, given to VIPs.
The elephant, called Big Baby, was sent from Bengaluru to Dali's home in Cadaqués, Spain.
The ashtray is on display as part of the 'Sanhita: A New Beginning' exhibition at NGMA, featuring Air India artifacts.
- Who
- Salvador Dalí and Air India.
- What
- Salvador Dalí designed an ashtray for Air India in exchange for an elephant.
- When
- 1967
- Where
- The ashtray is on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Bengaluru.
- Why
- To create a unique artwork in exchange for an elephant, later used as gifts.
- Artist
- Salvador Dalí
- Airline
- Air India
- Ashtray Design
- Swan that appears as an elephant
- Elephant's name
- Big Baby
- Exhibition
- 'Sanhita: A New Beginning'
- Location of Elephant's final destination
- Cadaqués, Spain