Ashtrays in the 50's were placed conspicuously on the table as a decor item.

So if it's for ashtrays, I would say much earlier in time, when people would want to tuck them away when not in use?

I would say 20's. An inkwell tray for a writing desk possibly to catch drips seems likely. Fountain pens era. Can you sit at the table? I can't tell how big it is.

Thanks, Tracy. No, you can’t sit at it. It is a small side table. About 12” by 24”.

We figured 50’s because that is when my parents were married. But it could be older.

Looks like about 4”? That is roughly ashtray sized. Looks more 30’s 40’s to me. My other thought was sewing table …

Awesome! Both parents were smokers. They had some nice ashtrays, some were wedding gifts. Can you imagine giving an ashtray as a wedding gift? The 50’s were a different world.

Found this

Hopefully no one in your household smokes. I will suggest that it could be used for holding a plant.

Norwood, it will just be slid right back under the main table. It slides under and was hidden for all these years. We lived with it our whole lives in my parents house, and inherited it about five years ago. Never saw the ashtray holder till this week when we moved it in order to refinish it.