Silver Vestas
June 13, 2009 by Thomas Howard
Filed under Vestas - Matchsafes
Vesta Cases, also known simply as Vestas or Matchsafes, are named for "Vesta" the Roman goddess of home and hearth. Prior to the twentieth century, matches were known as vestas and since they were highly flammable (much more so than today's "safety" matches) it was necessary to carry them in a case for safety and to keep them dry. The inside of the case would often be gilded or washed with gold to protect the silver from the sulfur in the head of the match which would corrode the silver on contact. Never attempt to polish the inside of a vesta as you can easily damage the thin gold wash if present.
Vesta cases were most popular between the 1850's and the 1940's. They were carried mostly by men on a "double Albert" chain and tucked into a waistcoat pocket along with a pocket watch. Many vestas have loops for the chain attachment. It was the invention of the pocket lighter that signaled the decline in popularity of the vesta case. It's no mistake that the classic Zippo lighter looks like a vesta case.
Vesta cases can be found in all shapes and sizes and made from many types of materials. The most common type is a simple small case with a loop for the chain, a spring lid and a strike on the base.
Hallmarks, if found, are usually on the inner lip of the main body which is hidden from view when the case is closed. The lid may also have hallmarks and they should match those on the body of the case. English cases were made primarily in Birmingham, followed by London and Chester and by makers such as Joseph Gloster, Deakin & Francis, A & J Zimmermanm, C. Saunders and F. Shepard to name a few. See my Hallmark Resources page for more information on hallmarks.Vestas can plain or decorated in various ways including engraving, enameling or set with stones. The most common decorations are the initials of the case's original owner. Never attempt to remove these initials as you will invariably destroy the collectible value of the vesta.Combination vesta cases incorporate other functions such as a coin case, stamp case, pen knife, cigar cutter, or whistle in their design. Many novelty vesta cases were made that look like animals or a famous celebrity or were made to commemorate a special occasion.The strikes were often simply ridges pressed into the silver of the base but these would often wear smooth with repeated use so better models incorporated a steel plate soldered onto the base of the vesta.Vestas are in great demand by collectors so it is important to know what to look for when buying a vesta. Here is a list of things that can lower the value of a vesta:
* Damage to the lid or the case not shutting properly
* Missing spring causing the lid to not shut properly.
* Dents, especially in the corners
* Poor attempts to remove initials or inscriptions
* Unreadable hallmarks
* Splits in the silver along the natural seam as cases are generally made in two halves.
* Damaged or repaired enameling.
Collecting vestas is a fascinating hobby and prices vary widely giving everyone an opportunity to participate in owning these wonderful little boxes which were once a part of everyday life but are now rarely seen.
To bid on any item below, simply click on the blue link next to the item. If you are new to online auctions, you can see my New to Auctions page for more information, including a very nice free video tutorial.
 Unusual Antique English Solid Sterling Silver MATCH STRIKER VESTA London 1891  US $265.00 |  19th C Continental Sterling Silver Figural Vesta Match Safe US $49.95 |
 1860s ORIGINAL IVAN KHLEBNIKOV ANTIQUE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN 84 SILVER VESTA CASE US $1,399.00 |  Solid Silver Vesta Box Case Birmingham 1912 US $70.29 |
 OLD ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER VESTA CASE 1916 US $26.52 |  SOLID SILVER VESTA CASE BIRM 1912 13 US $20.39 |
 Antique Silver Wood Steamship Matchbox Holder Vesta C1900 THO Danmark Nautical US $20.34 |  ULTRA RARE VICTORIAN HEART SHAPED SILVER VESTA B1898 US $226.50 |
 Rare Victorian Silver PipeTobacco Vesta Case 1863 US $2,499.36 |  Sampson Mordan Silver Cigarette Case With Vesta 1886 US $570.17 |
 Solid Silver Victorian Match Safe Vesta Box US $117.16 |  Silver vesta chester hallmark matches 1902 US $74.98 |
 A ENGLISH SILVER VESTA HORTON AND ALLDAY BIRMINGHAM 1892 US $31.24 |  ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER VESTA CASE HB BIRMINGHAM 1892 US $156.19 |
 Antique Victorian Era French Sterling Silver Vesta Match Safe in Book Form US $149.95 |  Ornate Art Deco ELGIN AMERICAN Sterling Silver Cigarette Vesta Case 119 Grams US $191.00 |
 Antique 1930 Solid Silver Vesta Matchsafe Match Box Cover Holder Adie Brothers US $32.80 |  UNUSUAL ANTIQUE HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER CIRCULAR VESTA WALKER HALL 1908 US $79.67 |
 WEBSTER R MONO Sterling Silver Cigarette Business Card Vesta Case Box US $99.99 |  Vespasian Denarius VESTA Standing EF VF Silver Roman US $325.00 |
 Excellent 1899 English Sterling Silver Vesta Match Safe US $109.95 |  OUTSTANDING 1896 English Sterling Silver Concave Vesta Match Safe W Fob Ring US $189.95 |
 ANTIQUE SILVER PLATED VESTA CASE US $31.23 |  ANTONINUS PIUS VESTA w Palladium Ancient Roman Denarius Silver Coin 154 AD US $119.00 |
 AN ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER VESTA MATCH BOX SAFE US $90.00 |  Sterling Silver VESTA 223 grams Edwardian Birmingham 1913 KA27 US $122.08 |
 Sterling Silver VESTA 277 grams Victorian Birmingham 1903 KA28 US $142.42 |  Sterling Silver VESTA 204 grams 1920s KA29 US $122.08 |
 ANTIQUE INDIAN HAND MADE SILVER VESTA MATCHSAFE c1890 QUALITY NO RESERVE US $76.00 |  Julia Mamaea Silver Denarius Vesta RIC 360 Clipped Authentic Roman US $70.00 |
 TOBACCO PUNCH 19th century SILVER VESTA MATCHBOX MATCHSAFE US $295.00 |  TOBACCO PUNCH SILVER PLATED BRASS VESTA MATCHBOX MATCHSAFE GO TO BED US $295.00 |
 VTG SOLID STERLING SILVER VESTA MATCH CASE William Hair Haseler BIRMINGHAM 1914 US $69.99 |  JULIA DOMNA 211AD Ancient Silver Roman Coin VESTA HOME US $82.50 |
 Sterling Silver Vesta Or Match Safe American Hunter 3 Hunting Dogs Repousse US $79.95 |  LUCILLA m Lucius Verus VESTA Ancient Roman Silver Denarius Coin SCARCE US $139.00 |
 Antique silver plated Vesta Case Match Safe 1910 20 US $99.99 |  Antique Silver Vesta Case Match Safe 1910 20 US $199.98 |
 EXCELLENT Antique 1914 Sterling Silver Vesta Case Match Safe Flowers Stripes US $27.66 |  Vintage Gorham Sterling Silver Match Safe Vesta Swirl Pattern 620 US $49.99 |
 JULIA DOMNA 211AD Mint State SILVER Roman Coin VESTA US $400.00 |  Antique Engraved Vesta Silver Plated Match Case US $25.00 |
 FAUSTINA I Antoninus Pius Wife 148AD Ancient SILVER Roman Coin Vesta Family US $165.00 |  100 A HORSES HOOF 925 STERLING SILVER CASE VESTA MATCH SAFE NEW US $88.00 |
 100 AUTHENTIC 925 STERLING SILVER CASE VESTA MATCH SAFE SKULL NEW US $149.00 |  RARE LATE 19THc NIELLO MOSCOW RUSSIAN SILVER MATCHSAFE VESTA FOR TIFFANY CO US $147.49 |
 GENUINE 925 STERLING SILVER CASE VESTA MATCH SAFE SKULL US $238.00 |  Edwardian Solid Silver Vesta Box Scroll Design Birmingham 1903 US $132.78 |
 Solid Silver Vesta Case US $132.78 |  Rare Antique Sterling Silver Sealing Wax Holder Vesta US $1,095.00 |
 Antique English Sterling Silver Vesta Sovereign Case US $695.00 |  EDWARDIAN SOLID SILVER CONTOURED DESIGN VESTA MATCH HOLDER 1906 US $84.34 |
 RARE LATE 19THc STERLING SILVER RUBY MATCHSAFE VESTA INTERESTING PROVENANCE US $224.50 |  Antique style solid silver 925 PendantVesta box Heart US $59.00 |
 ANTIQUE Solid STERLING Silver MATCH Safe VESTA Case BOX US $118.88 |  RARE REPOUSSE STERLING SILVER MATCH SAFE VESTA box VINTAGE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN US $59.01 |
 SOLID SILVER VESTA CASE US $26.54 |  an old silver hallmarked vesta case US $12.50 |
 Vintage Silver Vesta Case Winchester Wharf 1923 US $99.00 |  Superb Quality Silver Ornate Vesta Case Bham 1898 US $149.00 |
 Hallmarked Silver Edwardian 1901 Ornate Vesta Case US $40.61 |  ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN SILVER VESTA CASE CHESTER 1908 US $78.09 |
 VICTORIAN SOLID SILVER VESTA CASE BHAM 1899 205g US $56.24 |  George V 1916 Solid Silver Matchsafe Vesta Case S Blanckensee Sons US $40.76 |
 Superb 1899 Solid Silver Vesta Case with Pretty Floral Engraving by W H Haseler US $78.03 |  Sterling Silver Graduated Albert Watch Chain and Vesta Case US $101.46 |
 SILVER SALE CATALOGUE BOOK SCOTTISH TIPSTAVES NORIE WINE LABEL VESTA CADDY 2011 US $7.79 |  Boer War Solid Silver Vesta Case By Deakin Francis Engraved Pro Patria 1898 US $571.03 |
 CHATELAINE VESTA CASE STAMP PATCH BOX Art Nouveau Circa 1910 Sterling Silver US $99.00 |  HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER GOLF VESTA CASE 1899 US $615.00 |
 Novelty Solid Silver Cheroot Holder Vesta Whistle 1909 US $429.58 |  RARE English Silver Vesta Match Holder Striker 1910 US $429.58 |
 Sterling Silver Vesta Case Chester 1893 US $75.00 |  SILVER VESTA CASE EMBOSSED WITH INDIAN CHIEF BOTH SIDES US $48.00 |
 Antique 19th C silver Russian cigarette casevesta case set in original box US $2,500.00 |  Sterling Silver Vesta Case Birmingham 1911 US $75.00 |
 SILVER HALLMARKED 1889 PICTORIAL ENAMEL VESTA CASE ON CHAIN WITH HORSE HEAD FOB US $27.99 |  Square Sterling Silver Vesta Case Birmigham 1904 JB CLB US $75.00 |
 RARE ANHEUSER BUSCH ANTIQUE MATCH SAFE BREWERIANA BEER SILVER VESTA CASE box US $167.50 |  SOLID SILVER VESTA CASE FOB MATCH SAFE HM BIRMINGHAM 1925 US $65.61 |
 Solid Silver Vesta Case Match Holder Match Safe Hallmarked Birmingham c1920 US $148.40 |  ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SILVER CIGARETTE TOBACCO BOX WITH VESTA MOSCOW 1880 HEAVY 6 TROY US $460.82 |
 ANTIQUE HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER VESTA 1900 US $24.99 |  ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN 1908 ENGRAVED SILVER SHIELD VESTA CASE US $46.85 |
 Antique Victorian Shell Inlaid Silver Vesta Case Match Safe with Striker Plate US $31.24 |  Antique Solid Silver Vesta Case 1899 By HM 22g US $48.43 |
 1915 ROLASON BROTHERS SOLID SILVER VESTA CASE US $1.55 |  1902 BEAUTIFUL JOSEPH GLOSTER SOLID SILVER VESTA CASE US $1.55 |
 ANTIQUE AMERICAN SILVER BULLDOG DESIGN VESTA CASE NR US $53.11 |  VESPASIAN VESTA Ancient Roman SILVER Coin Denarius RIC 360 Rome Mint 73AD US $209.00 |
 EDWARDIAN SOLID SILVER POLISHED VESTA DATED 1902 195g US $203.07 |  RARE SILVER ENAMEL VESTA Matchsafe by GAS KOLOMAN MOSER HOFFMAN w SHAMROCKS US $1,445.00 |
 Sterling Silver Damask Design Vesta Match Case US $34.99 |  Silver Plated Match Safe Vesta – Double Sided – c 1900 US $85.00 |
 VESTA SILVER ANTIQUE MATCH SAFE US $165.00 |  QUALITY ANTIQUE ENGLISH SILVER VESTA MATCHSAFE c1894 US $135.00 |
