Vesta case

Vesta cases, or simply “vestas” are small boxes made to house wax, or "strike anywhere", matches. In the Victorian era in England matches were often referred to as “vestas” named after Vesta, the Roman Goddess of the hearth and fire. These matches were prone to ignite spontaneously or from rubbing on one another, and vesta cases provided a safeguard against this. For this reason, in America vesta cases were known by the more descriptive and more prosaic term “match safes”.

Advertising case, England, late 19th century

Vesta cases first came into use in the 1830s, and reached their height of popularity between 1890 and 1920. (After that safety matches became more common, obviating the need for vesta cases, with match box covers becoming more popular.)

There were three main forms of vesta cases: pocket vestas, table or standing vestas and “go to bed” vestas. Pocket vesta cases were the most popular form, and were often made to be suspended from a fob chain or an Albert chain. Table vestas were usually larger than pocket vestas and left in a handy position in the home, such as the kitchen or close to a fireplace. “Got to bed” vestas were usually joined to a candle stick holder.

Boot Matchsafe, late 19th century, with striker on sole. Silver with niello.

They were made throughout the world including the United Kingdom, in the U.S.A., continental Europe and Australia. Significant English makers of vesta cases included notable silversmiths such as Sampson Mordan[1] and Asprey & Co. Significant American manufacturers of match safes include Wm. B. Kerr, Gorham, Unger Brothers, Battin, Blackington, Whiting, George Scheibler and Shreve & Co.

Designs
Matchsafe, late 19th century, in the form of a pair of women's bloomers, featuring simulated creases and lace cuffs. Lid on top. Striker on lid.

The different shapes and decorations must run into many thousands. As well as plain and decorated square, oblong and round cases, a myriad of novelty shapes have been recorded; silver, brass or white metal pigs with hinged heads were popular, as were vesta cases in the form of Mr Punch, hearts, skulls, books, musical instruments (often violas), owls, boots and shoes, bottles, ladies' legs and so on. Sporting decorations were common, especially golf and cricket. As were hunting scenes and armorial decorations.

They were also made in a wide range of materials, including silver, brass, tin, gunmetal, nickel silver, gold, bone, ivory and early plastics such as tortoiseshell and bakelite. The more unusual materials included leather, wood, horn, ceramics (usually for table vestas) and the sea bean seed from Entada gigas commonly known as the monkey-ladder, sea bean, Cœur de la Mer or Sea Heart. Although many were made of inexpensive materials (most often brass or nickel silver), sterling silver was perhaps the common material, especially in England. Wealthier users often carried vestas made of precious metals, e.g. gold, or enameled versions. More expensive vestas often had a gold wash interior to prevent corrosion by the chemically active match heads.

"Compliments of National India Rubber Company", c. 1905, American.

A distinguishing characteristic of vesta cases is that they have a ribbed surface, usually on the bottom, for lighting the matches. Some vestas incorporated a cigar cutter or a small knife blade. Pocket vestas and sovereign cases were sometimes combined into the one item, as were vesta cases and stamp holders.

Decorations were often engraved into metal vestas (with floreate patterns the most common), though other techniques were sometimes used, including repoussé, guilloché or engine turning, cold-painting, enamelling and niello. Many vestas had cartouches in a central position on the front for the engraving of initials etc.

Promotional vestas were sometimes produced by different companies, for example, the Gillette company produced a brass razor blade case with a ribbed bottom that could be used as a vesta case after the razor blades had been used, and Veuve Cliquot produced a vesta in the shape of a champagne bottle. Some vestas were produced as mementos for tourists and others were produced to commemorate important events, such as the death of Queen Victoria.

Collecting vesta cases

Vesta cases are highly collectable and can still to be found in a vast array of shapes, sizes and materials. Prices vary considerably depending on a broad range of factors, including the material of manufacture, maker, condition, age, design, rarity and subject matter. Base metal vestas can be found from as little as GPB10, sterling silver vestas typically retail around GBP50 - GBP150, while gold and some enameled vestas (especially those with hunting motifs) can cost thousands of pounds. To get a more accurate idea of prices, it is a good idea to browse antique stores, fairs and auction results.

Antiques fairs and markets can be fertile hunting grounds for bargains for collectors, although it can be safer to buy from reputable antique dealers and shops (though these will usually charge higher prices). Auctions can also provide some bargains, if you know what you're looking for.

Because of their collectability and the prices that some forms can command, fakes and replicas can be found, sometimes even in reputable antique stores. Accordingly, collectors are well advised to be familiar with genuine hallmarks used on silver and gold vestas.

References
  1. "Novelty vestas: Sampson Mordan & Co Ltd". Antiques in Oxford. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
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