In Roman mythology, Vesta was the goddess of hearth, home and family, and her presence was symbolised by the sacred fire that burned at her hearth and temples, inspiring several match companies to name their matches "vestas", the best known around 1900 being the "Swan Vestas" brand.

Vesta cases, also known as match safes were made to safely house a person's supply of matches, required because early matches were prone to combustion, either from the friction of rubbing together or spontaneous ignition.

Vesta cases came into use in the 1830s, but the peak period of their popularity was 1890 to 1920.

Most commonly they are silver, and rectangular in shape, with an end-opening spring-loaded close fitting lid at the top and a ribbed or serrated striking surface on the base.

Collectors seek out novelty shapes that include boots and shoes, bottles, snuff horns, animal heads, hearts, and more...

78 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Antique silver vesta group approx: applied gold & enamel…

Antique silver vesta group approx: applied gold & enamel thistle decorated vesta Engraved: Edwin Marlow Parkville, unmarked, silver plate example marked Hj&Co Engraved: Edwin Marlow Parkville. American silver vesta a/f. Silver total weight 33 grams

Early 20th century 18ct gold vesta case, marked, 750, Coronet…

Early 20th century 18ct gold vesta case, marked, 750, Coronet and F.B, of slender form, beautifully decorated with a cross hatched woven body, total weight 34.5gm, 4.5 cm x 4 cm

Rare 9ct gold double ended sovereign case, solid 9ct gold vesta…

1896 Chester Hallmarked 9ct Gold Double Sovereign Case & Vesta

Rare 9ct gold double ended sovereign case, solid 9ct gold vesta and sovereign with single ring to end, hallmarked 1896 Chester 33.40gr

George V silver & 9ct rose gold vesta case marked Birmingham…

George V Silver & 9ct Rose Gold Vesta Case

George V silver & 9ct rose gold vesta case marked Birmingham passant Smith & Bartlam, 9ct to the cartouche. Approx size 46 x 34 mm, bruising, minor split to join

Art Deco Vienna 14ct vesta lighter fob, machine cut rectangular…

Vienna Art Deco 14ct Gold Vesta Lighter Fob

Art Deco Vienna 14ct vesta lighter fob, machine cut rectangular form with Vienna 14k gold standard fox head hallmark

Antique Australian 9ct rose gold vesta rubbed marks Prouds…

Antique Australian 9ct Rose Gold Kookaburra Vesta

Antique Australian 9ct rose gold vesta rubbed marks Prouds Kookaburra 375 D, 1926?. dia. 26 mm, length 35 mm, total weight ex box 8.8 grams

An Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta, flat circular form. Chester…

Edwardian Rose Gold Vesta by Blanckensee & Son

An Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta, flat circular form. Chester 1908 by S Blanckensee & Son Ltd. Noted vesta makers. 13.77gm.

A 9ct gold match case, Wt 30.5g)

9ct Gold Match Case - 30.5g

A 9ct gold match case, Wt 30.5g)

Edwardian 9ct rose gold & silver vesta Smith & Bartlam Chester…

Edwardian Rose Gold & Silver Vesta for Restoration

Edwardian 9ct rose gold & silver vesta Smith & Bartlam Chester 1907, 375 9 & silver passant. Approx size 40 x 30 mm, weight 12.4 grams, for restoration

A late Victorian 9ct yellow gold vesta, curved form, engraved…

Engraved Clover Vesta in 9ct Gold

A late Victorian 9ct yellow gold vesta, curved form, engraved all-over clover pattern with shield cartouche. 16.9gm. Birmingham 1897. By Henry Matthews.

An early 20th century 15ct yellow gold vesta, large size,…

Engraved 15ct Gold Vesta by Devenport & Co

An early 20th century 15ct yellow gold vesta, large size, curved form, engraved scripted initials monogram. 38.6gm. By William Devenport & Co.

An Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta, plain form, engraved script…

Engraved Rose Gold Vesta with Initials - 1910 Chester

An Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta, plain form, engraved script initials. Suspension loop attached. 16gm. Chester 1910.

9ct gold Hardy Brothers vesta case, marked 'H.Bros 9ct', of…

Hardy Brothers 9ct Gold Vesta Case with Monogram

9ct gold Hardy Brothers vesta case, marked 'H.Bros 9ct', of cylindrical form, with engraved monogram 'T.E' to cover and striker inset to base of body, total weight 16.80gm, height 3.7 cm x diameter 2.5 cm

9ct gold Hardy Brothers match case, stamped Hardy Bros Ltd, 9ct,…

Hardy Brothers 9ct Gold Match Case with Monogram

9ct gold Hardy Brothers match case, stamped Hardy Bros Ltd, 9ct, of rectangular form, engraved with monogram 'D.C' to hinged cover, total weight 25.48gm, 6 cm x 4.5 cm

Fine Russian gold and silver cigarette / vesta case, marked 88…

Russian Gold and Silver Cigarette/Vesta Case with Sapphire Stone

Fine Russian gold and silver cigarette / vesta case, marked 88 zolotnik to silver, 56 zolotnik (14ct) to gold, c1896-1908, of rounded rectangular form in reeded sunburst design, in duotone finish, the hinged top cover set with a gold mounted thumb piece…

A circa 1900 9ct rose gold vesta plain form with suspension…

Engraved 9ct Rose Gold Vesta with Initials

A circa 1900 9ct rose gold vesta plain form with suspension loop attached, decorative engraved script initials to front, height 5 cm. 22gm. Unmarked testing as 9ct or higher.

'Presenta Bock Family Tasmania military and boxing group…

Bock Family's Military and Boxing Memorabilia Collection

'Presenta Bock Family Tasmania military and boxing group including: I.) 9ct gold military medallion 'S.B.S. Bock 40th Batt. Oldina Friends, June 1919'. II.) Dog tag 'Stretcher Bearer S.H. Bock 58 Ge 40th A.I.F. 10th Bde'. III.) Silver vesta engraved…

Ornate silver & gold engraved vesta case, unmarked, with floral…

Floral Engraved Silver & Gold Vesta Case

Ornate silver & gold engraved vesta case, unmarked, with floral decoration, height 5 cm

George V sterling silver & gold vesta Birmingham 1911, makers…

George V Sterling Silver & Gold Vesta with Rose Gold Shield

George V sterling silver & gold vesta Birmingham 1911, makers marks rubbed, with 9 carat rose gold shield to face, height 5 cm; weight 18grams dings and dented to front & back

An Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta case, Samuel M. Levi,…

Edwardian Rose Gold Vesta Case by Samuel M. Levi

An Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta case, Samuel M. Levi, Birmingham, 1906, of typical rounded rectangular form, the cartouche to one side blank, the exterior otherwise engraved throughout with stylized foliate decoration, weight 13g, length 4.5 cm, width 3…

9ct yellow gold match box marked with 375 Birmingham circa 1900…

Antique 9ct Gold Match Box with Birmingham Hallmarks

9ct yellow gold match box marked with 375 Birmingham circa 1900 -1910 makers marks HM. Weight 14.5 grams.

Vic. Sterling silver combination vesta case and snuff box,…

Sterling Silver Vesta Case and Snuff Box

Vic. Sterling silver combination vesta case and snuff box, hallmarked sterling silver London 1851. By Benjamin Barling, retailed by Hudson & Co. Engine turned exterior, with gold inlaid cartouche inscribed 'James Littei 10th Hussar from Frank Grant 9th…

An antique burra nut vesta with gold plated mounts, 19th…

19th Century Burra Nut Vesta with Gold Plated Mounts

An antique burra nut vesta with gold plated mounts, 19th century, 5 cm wide

Fine Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta, hallmarked Birmingham, 1906,…

Edwardian Rose Gold Vesta with Beaten Finish

Fine Edwardian 9ct rose gold vesta, hallmarked Birmingham, 1906, A&J Z (A. & J. Zimmerman), of rectangular form set with hinged cover and decorated in all over beaten finish, height 5.2 cm and width 4.3 cm, total weight 49.5gm

An early 1900s 9ct gold vesta case, the exterior with machined…

1916 9ct Gold Vesta Case with Monogram

An early 1900s 9ct gold vesta case, the exterior with machined decoration, the front with silver monogram, Birmingham 1916, 27gm.

Joachim Matthias Wendt (attributed) 18ct yellow gold…

South Australian 18ct Gold Vesta Case by Wendt

Joachim Matthias Wendt (attributed) 18ct yellow gold combination sovereign vesta case, South Australian origin, 19th century, finely engraved monogram in Wendt's style 'N.K.H, stamped 'J.W. 18' with a lower case 'F, 9 cm high, 51 grams

Eureka gold vesta case. Superbly crafted 18ct gold with…

Eureka Gold Vesta Case with Britannia Figure and Mineral Inset

Eureka gold vesta case. Superbly crafted 18ct gold with engraved Britannia figure inscribed 'Eureka', with black enamel decoration and gold ore mineral specimen inset lid., 5.5 cm high, 23.75 grams total

A Hardy Brothers sterling silver vesta box, circular plain…

Hardy Brothers Sterling Silver Kookaburra Vesta Box

A Hardy Brothers sterling silver vesta box, circular plain design with an applied gold kookaburra with redstone eyes, struck to base. Stamped 'HBros 925 Stg', height 3.7 cm, diameter 3 cm

A late Edwardian 9ct gold vesta case, machined decoration to…

Edwardian 9ct Gold Machined Vesta Case, Birmingham 1910

A late Edwardian 9ct gold vesta case, machined decoration to the exterior, Birmingham 1910. 22gm.

George V 9ct rose gold cylinder vesta case marked Wm Farmer &…

George V 9ct Rose Gold Vesta Case with Engraved Initials

George V 9ct rose gold cylinder vesta case marked Wm Farmer & Co Ltd 34 Hunter street Sydney, stamped Deakin & Francis Ltd Birmingham 1915. Engraved initials and date to the lid. Approx dia 25 mm, 33 mm height, weight 14.5 grams

An 18ct yellow gold Asprey vesta case, the plain body with…

Asprey 18ct Gold Vesta Case, Chester 1906

An 18ct yellow gold Asprey vesta case, the plain body with hinged lid hallmarked Chester 1906. Maker Asprey & Co. Ltd, stamped 'Asprey'. 3.7 x 3.6 cm

9ct pink gold vesta case. Hallmarked London 1901. Width 4.5g

1901 London Hallmarked Pink Gold Vesta Case

9ct pink gold vesta case. Hallmarked London 1901. Width 4.5g

18ct yellow gold vesta case. Hallmarked London 1903. Width 9g

1903 London Hallmarked 18ct Gold Vesta Case

18ct yellow gold vesta case. Hallmarked London 1903. Width 9g

9ct pink gold circular vesta case. Hallmarled Chester 1904.…

Chester Hallmarked Pink Gold Vesta Case (1904)

9ct pink gold circular vesta case. Hallmarled Chester 1904. Width 6.3g

15ct gold vesta case, engine turned with initialled roundel

Engraved Gold Vesta Case with Monogrammed Roundel

15ct gold vesta case, engine turned with initialled roundel

A late 19th century 9ct. yellow gold vesta, the shield…

19th Century Gold Vesta with Leafy Scroll Design

A late 19th century 9ct. yellow gold vesta, the shield cartouche framed by leafy, scrolls, the hinged lid with suspension loop attached. Chester 1898 by William Neale, a noted vesta maker. 15.7gm

An English 9ct yellow gold vesta case, S. Blanckensee and Sons…

Gold Intelligence Corp Vesta Case, 1922

An English 9ct yellow gold vesta case, S. Blanckensee and Sons Ltd, Birmingham, 1922 square in shape with a Intelligence Corp plaque Wt 22.5 grams

Enamel and silver vesta, silver plated napkin ring and a gold…

Enamel and Silver Vesta Set with Beaker

Enamel and silver vesta, silver plated napkin ring and a gold wash beaker with enamel coat of arms, 19th/20th century, the beaker 4.5 cm high

An Australian 15ct gold vesta by William Drummond & Co.…

19th Century Australian 15ct Gold Vesta by William Drummond

An Australian 15ct gold vesta by William Drummond & Co. Melbourne, 19th century stamped 'W.D. & Co. 15ct' 5.5 cm high, 42.9 grams

Rare Victorian 9ct rose gold vesta case with engraved…

Engraved Victorian 9ct Rose Gold Vesta Case, Birmingham Hallmark

Rare Victorian 9ct rose gold vesta case with engraved decorations by makers HM, hallmarked Birmingham, approx. 18.6gr

An Edwardian 9 carat gold vesta case, 1902 Chester, gold…

Edwardian 9ct Gold Vesta Case with Military Engraving

An Edwardian 9 carat gold vesta case, 1902 Chester, gold standard .375, maker's mark for William Neale, a rectangular cushion profile vesta and strike of typical hinged form, with bail and hoop, engraved W.J.R from R.H 4th Hussars 1896-1906, twice…

Gold and diamond match box, 14ct yellow gold, of rectangular…

Gold and Diamond Match Box from Lady Sybil Joel's Collection

Gold and diamond match box, 14ct yellow gold, of rectangular shape, centring an old European cut diamond, stamped '14k Pat, 25.01 grams. Provenance: The collection of Lady Sybil Joel, Sydney

Monty Noble's 15ct gold vesta case, engraved on one side…

Monty Noble's Australian Cricket Team Souvenir Vesta Case

Monty Noble's 15ct gold vesta case, engraved on one side 'Souvenir of Tenth Australian Eleven 1899, M.A.Noble From C.W.Laver', and on other side with Australian coat-of-arms.

An English 9ct yellow gold vesta case, Chester, 1901, rectangle…

1901 English 9ct Gold Vesta Case with Matchsticks

An English 9ct yellow gold vesta case, Chester, 1901, rectangle in shape with English hallmarks for Chester, 1901, WN for William Neale, with matchsticks, Wt 16.5grams

9ct rose gold vesta, weight: approx 15 grams

15g 9ct Rose Gold Vesta

9ct rose gold vesta, weight: approx 15 grams

Elegant Edwardian 9ct gold vesta case, of slender circular form,…

Edwardian Gold Vesta Case with Acanthus Scrolls

Elegant Edwardian 9ct gold vesta case, of slender circular form, decorated with central shield medallion, surrounded by acanthus scroll motifs, 4 cm x 4.5 cm

Edwardian 9ct gold vesta case, of rectangular form, with engine…

Edwardian 9ct Gold Engine Turned Vesta Case

Edwardian 9ct gold vesta case, of rectangular form, with engine turned motif, total weight 21gm, 5 cm x 3.8 cm

Edwardian sterling silver and gold vesta case, hallmarked,…

Gold and Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1902

Edwardian sterling silver and gold vesta case, hallmarked, Birmingham, 1902, W.H, of rectangular form, decorated with strips of gold, with leaf motifs, total weight 31gm, 5 cm x 4.7 cm

An antique gold vesta, Drummonds, Melbourne. With engraved…

Antique 15ct Gold Vesta with Engraved Initials and Bird

An antique gold vesta, Drummonds, Melbourne. With engraved initials to the front and bird to the reverse. 15ct yellow gold. Weight 42.92 grams

A sterling silver vesta case, initialled Abl, and rose gold…

Abl Initialled Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Rose Gold Plating

A sterling silver vesta case, initialled Abl, and rose gold plated design, Smith & Bartlam, Birmingham 1914. Length 4.8 cm. Weight 26.6g.

Hardy Bros 9ct gold vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1911, 5.2…

Antique Hardy Bros Gold Vesta Case 1911

Hardy Bros 9ct gold vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1911, 5.2 cm x 5.3 cm, 18.9 grams

9ct gold vesta case, stamped 9ct, 4.2 cm x 3.9 cm, 13.9 grams

9ct Gold Vesta Case, Stamped and Lightweight

9ct gold vesta case, stamped 9ct, 4.2 cm x 3.9 cm, 13.9 grams

9ct yellow gold vesta case 1910, Chester assay marks, height: 3.…

1910 Chester Assayed Gold Vesta Case - 9ct Yellow

9ct yellow gold vesta case 1910, Chester assay marks, height: 3.8 cm,. Weight: 21.8gms

An antique gold vesta case, square form with engine turned…

Square Antique Gold Vesta Case, Birmingham 1909

An antique gold vesta case, square form with engine turned decoration. Hallmarked: Birmingham and dated 1909. 9 carat gold.

A gold vesta case, plain polished, circular form. 9ct yellow…

1850 Birmingham Hallmarked 9ct Gold Vesta Case

A gold vesta case, plain polished, circular form. 9ct yellow gold. Weight 17.30 grams. Diameter 47 mm. Birmingham hallmarks, 1850. Makers mark D&E.

A Victorian silver match case, scrolled rose gold gilt detail,…

Victorian Silver and Rose Gold Match Case

A Victorian silver match case, scrolled rose gold gilt detail, engraved G.S.C. To front and 1882 to rear of case; marks obscured, possibly French.

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, with 9ct gold overlay,…

Edwardian Silver and Gold Vesta Case

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, with 9ct gold overlay, hallmarked Birmingham 1902 (S&B), 4.2 cm high

A gold vesta/sovereign case, 145ct yellow gold, antique,…

Antique Gold Vesta/Sovereign Case, 1914 Inscription - 145ct

A gold vesta/sovereign case, 145ct yellow gold, antique, inscribed to case front 1.12.1914, presented as a rounded rectangular shaped case double hinged to reveal a single sovereign sprung case to one end and a vesta cast to other with strike, completed…

Sterling silver vesta set with 1921 gold sovereign, (Sydney…

1921 Gold Sovereign Sterling Silver Vesta Set

Sterling silver vesta set with 1921 gold sovereign, (Sydney Mint) vesta stamped 925, 47grams approx in total, Walker & Hall mark.

9ct gold round vesta, stamped PROUNDS 9ct 375, 16gms approc

Prouds 9ct Gold Round Vesta - 16gms

9ct gold round vesta, stamped PROUNDS 9ct 375, 16gms approc

15ct rose gold vesta, weight of 32.3gms, marked '15ct and Fx&R'

15ct Rose Gold Vesta by Fx&R - 32.3gms

15ct rose gold vesta, weight of 32.3gms, marked '15ct and Fx&R'

An Australian 9ct gold cylinder match case; Prouds. Height 3.5…

Australian 9ct Gold Match Case by Prouds

An Australian 9ct gold cylinder match case; Prouds. Height 3.5 cm

An Edwardian vesta case, cabochon sapphire push piece, 18ct…

Edwardian Sapphire Gold Vesta Case - 16g

An Edwardian vesta case, cabochon sapphire push piece, 18ct yellow gold, weight 16 grams

A 9ct gold engine turned vesta case, Deakin & Francis,…

Gold Vesta Case from Melba Collection

A 9ct gold engine turned vesta case, Deakin & Francis, Birmingham 1912 the rectangular vesta with lift up lid, canted corners, striker to the base, 25 grams, 50 mm long, 44 mm wide. Property from the Collection of Dame Nellie Melba GBE

Gold (10ct) vesta box . Typical 'Barrel' form, ribbed, top…

Engraved 10ct Gold Vesta Box, Hobart 1914

Gold (10ct) vesta box . Typical 'Barrel' form, ribbed, top engraved 'Archie Xmas 1914'. Maker Goldring & Son, Hobart, Tasmania. (20.8g).

Stirling silver vesta case, slip on lid with applied figure of…

Hardy Bros Kangaroo Vesta Case, 1910-1920

Stirling silver vesta case, slip on lid with applied figure of a gold 'Kangaroo' to lid. Initialled rim C.J.L. (24g), marked; 'Hardy Bros' STG. SILVER for Hardy Bros, Sydney, Brisbane, circa 1910 - 1920

Superior sterling silver matchbox, with garnets inset in lid in…

Garnet Southern Cross Matchbox by Hardy Bros Ltd

Superior sterling silver matchbox, with garnets inset in lid in the form of the 'Southern Cross' lid salso engraved with a capital 'N' and coronet above. Gold washed surface marked; Hardy Bros Ltd. STERLING SILVER on base . Makers mark for Edward Sansome,…

A 9ct gold and sterling silver lined book matchbox, plain,…

Gold and Silver Matchbox with Mock Crest (9ct/sterling, c.1927)

A 9ct gold and sterling silver lined book matchbox, plain, oblong, mock crest, by Dunklings Ltd., Melbourne, c. 1927.(0.13 mm)

A 9ct gold plain vesta case circular form, early 20th century,…

9ct Gold Vesta Case by Ingram Bros

A 9ct gold plain vesta case circular form, early 20th century, by Ingram Bros., Melbourne. (13.9g)

A gold book matchbox engine turned decoration early 1920s,…

Gold Matchbox Engine Decoration from 1920s

A gold book matchbox engine turned decoration early 1920s, Magnus Goldring Inc. Edwin Harrop, Sydney. (27.5g)

A 9ct gold combined sovereign / vesta case, the front with…

Engraved 9ct Gold Sovereign/Vesta Case by Rollason & Co

A 9ct gold combined sovereign / vesta case, the front with engraved floral decoration, circa 1920, by Rollason & Co. Sydney. (30.3g).

An oblong flip-top vesta case. Polished dark green nephrite,…

Green Nephrite Vesta Case with Gold Mounts

An oblong flip-top vesta case. Polished dark green nephrite, grooved striker cut in base, gold mounted opening, Smith & Bartlem, Birmingham, 1904. C.f Christie's Sale 5/10/1999 Lot 89 gbp 400.

An Edwardian greenstone and 9ct. gold mounted vesta, plain…

Edwardian Greenstone and Gold Vesta

An Edwardian greenstone and 9ct. gold mounted vesta, plain rounded rectangular form, the top body and hinged lid rim mounted with engraved 9ct. rose gold, a concave striking bar carved to the base. Hallmarked Chester 1905 by Smith & Bartlan. 6 cm x 4.5 cm

Hallmarked sterling silver vesta with 9ct gold mount.…

Sterling Silver & 9ct Gold Vesta, Chester 1907

Hallmarked sterling silver vesta with 9ct gold mount. hallmarked Chester 1907. Maker S & B M. Floral & leaf decoration. Monogrammed. Weight 27g. Length 5 cm

Antique 9ct gold vesta in poor condition, marked 375, 13 grams…

Damaged 9ct Gold Vesta, Marked 375, 13g

Antique 9ct gold vesta in poor condition, marked 375, 13 grams approx

A gold vesta case inscribed ?Arthur from Corny?, 1925 6.5 cm…

1925 Gold Vesta Case Inscribed 'Arthur from Corny'

A gold vesta case inscribed ?Arthur from Corny?, 1925 6.5 cm high, 4 cm wide

Antique 9ct gold vesta, 34 grams approx

Antique 9ct Gold Vesta - 34g

Antique 9ct gold vesta, 34 grams approx

Silver vesta cases consisting of a vesta case with 9ct Rose…

Collection of Silver Vesta Cases

Silver vesta cases consisting of a vesta case with 9ct Rose gold shield Birmingham, 1921, maker Smith & Bartlam. Weight: 20g. Length 4.5 cm. Engraved vesta case Birmingham, 1907, maker Thomas Bishton. Weight: 25g. Length 5 cm. Engraved vesta case…