Will's Gold Flake ceramic ashtray.

Hi all, I wanted to share this ashtray that I picked up over the weekend. I don't have many ashtrays that show this much patina, but there's something about it that I find attractive. I love the burnt orange/ochre-hued colour round the edges, as well as all the details going on in its overall design. The raised centre part is especially interesting and attractive. A nice ashtray from W.D & H.O. Wills, promoting their Gold Flake cigarette brand which first appeared on the UK market in 1901.
The maker's mark is new to me, I've never seen one resembling it before and is doubly interesting as there's no country of origin. Maybe there's a clue in that symbol and the '8500'. Anyway, I hope you guys like it. I'm really chuffed to have it in my collection, patina and all. :)
By the way, if anyone has seen that maker's symbol before, I'd really appreciate your feedback. Thanks, Si.