Salvador Dali, Air India Ashtrays and a Baby Elephant

Back in the sixties, flying was so much more than a means of travel. It was a privilege enjoyed by the swish set, who were treated to on-board amenities sourced from luxury brands, wined and dined on in-flight gourmet meals, and were served by cabin crew decked in designer wear. Why, if you flew Air India, and were important enough, you could even end up owning a limited-edition ashtray designed by world-famous artist Salvador Dali!

In the 1960s, Dali was arguably the most famous artist in the world. Primarily a painter, his artistic repertoire, which ranged from the bizarre to the controversial, included sculpture, graphic arts, design, architecture, film and photography.