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...

47 items found:

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

An Edwardian moulded glass and silver owl match striker,…

Edwardian Owl Match Striker with Silver Rim

An Edwardian moulded glass and silver owl match striker, coloured glass eyes, the silver rim Birmingham 1907 by Schindler & Co (David Loebl).

Twin dinner gong and bell, c.1910 Japanese hand painted dinner…

Japanese Dragon Dinner Gong and Bell

Twin dinner gong and bell, c.1910 Japanese hand painted dinner gong and bell with dragon decoration and Striker marked to base

Antique cold painted bronze figural match striker of a young…

Middle Eastern Boy Match Striker

Antique cold painted bronze figural match striker of a young Middle Eastern boy crouched down, width 6 cm x height 6 cm

Antique brass table Striker, embossed cherub decoration with…

Embossed Cherub Brass Table Striker

Antique brass table Striker, embossed cherub decoration with fitted interior

Vintage table match Striker, brass lidded pedestal base on tray

Brass Pedestal Match Striker on Tray

Vintage table match Striker, brass lidded pedestal base on tray

Pair Continental ceramic boating match strikers each in the…

Pair of Ceramic Boating Match Strikers with Posy Vases

Pair Continental ceramic boating match strikers each in the form of a boating figure, supporting a posy vase, with match striking section, height 8 cm each.

Eight hand made iron livestock 'cow' bells 8 cm - 18 cm high,…

Handmade Iron Cow Bells Set

Eight hand made iron livestock 'cow' bells 8 cm - 18 cm high, one with missing striker

Five early brass livestock 'cow' bells 10 cm - 14.5 cm high 2…

Set of 5 Antique Brass Cow Bells with Imperfections

Five early brass livestock 'cow' bells 10 cm - 14.5 cm high 2 missing strikers, another with cracks

A pair of Lovatt's Langley ware match striker dishes in blue…

Blue and Brown Lovatt's Langley Match Striker Dishes

A pair of Lovatt's Langley ware match striker dishes in blue and brown diameter 13 cm

Large rare pub size sterling silver mount Birmingham 1912 glass…

Rare Large Sterling Silver Match Striker, Birmingham 1912

Large rare pub size sterling silver mount Birmingham 1912 glass match striker, height 11 cm, diameter 14 cm

Antique ceramic dog match striker with figure of a dog playing…

Ceramic Dog Match Striker with Musical Canine Figure

Antique ceramic dog match striker with figure of a dog playing the flute in period costume measure 6 cm high, and 15 cm high, (2)

An English sterling silver match box and Striker, Minshull and…

Sterling Silver Match Box and Striker, 1911

An English sterling silver match box and Striker, Minshull and Latimer, Birmingham, 1911, Wt 40 grams

Glass and sterling silver match strikers two sterling silver…

Sterling Silver and Glass Match Strikers

Glass and sterling silver match strikers two sterling silver mounted glass match strikers the largest 7 cm

Art Deco style race horse match striker featuring jockey on…

Art Deco Race Horse Match Striker with Jockey

Art Deco style race horse match striker featuring jockey on horse and and a match striker in the form of a hitching post. Possibly a later model. Height 17 cm, width 19 cm, depth 8 cm

A collection of art glass objets, 19th century and later,…

Art Glass Collection with Napoleon Salt and Terrier Perfume Bottle

A collection of art glass objets, 19th century and later, including a second empire flashed glass salt with a gilded cartouche of Napoleon, an English glass boot form match striker, three glass perfume bottles, and an Art Deco perfume bottle of a terrier,…

An Austrian cold painted Bulldog table Striker lighter, early…

Cold Painted Bulldog Table Striker Lighter

An Austrian cold painted Bulldog table Striker lighter, early 20th century, a lugubrious bulldog naturalistically moulded and coloured with chain and lighter aperture, striker now absent, marked Austria in relief to paw, height 13 cm

A pair of antique ceramic match Strikers, circa 1900s. The…

Antique Ceramic Match Strikers, 1900s

A pair of antique ceramic match Strikers, circa 1900s. The tallest measures 13 cm high

Two various silver & glass match strikers, both with silver…

Silver and Glass Match Strikers with Collars

Two various silver & glass match strikers, both with silver collars, 1 London 1900, the other Birmingham, circa 1920 (date mark rubbed). Ribbed glass bodies.

An Edwardian silver and glass match striker, the exterior with…

Edwardian Silver and Glass Match Striker with Ornate Top

An Edwardian silver and glass match striker, the exterior with ridges and space for matches, the ornate silver top embossed with florals and leaves, London 1907, 8 cm x 7 cm

An Edwardian glass and silver match striker, in the form of an…

Edwardian Owl Glass and Silver Match Striker

An Edwardian glass and silver match striker, in the form of an owl, glass eyes and silver rim, London 1907. 5 cm x 7 cm

Bass dogs head Guinness match striker, Reed Bros London, 10.5…

Bass Dog Head Match Striker by Reed Bros London

Bass dogs head Guinness match striker, Reed Bros London, 10.5 cm (minor paint Flake)

A sterling silver and glass match striker, Birmingham, 1902, 7…

Birmingham 1902 Sterling Silver Match Striker with Glass

A sterling silver and glass match striker, Birmingham, 1902, 7 cm high

A large sterling silver and glass match striker, 12.5 cm high,…

Sterling Silver and Glass Match Striker

A large sterling silver and glass match striker, 12.5 cm high, 14 cm diameter

Vintage 'Ushers Whisky' match striker

"Ushers Whisky" Vintage Match Striker

Vintage 'Ushers Whisky' match striker

Victorian sterling silver & glass match striker, hallmarked…

1897 Birmingham Hallmarked Match Striker with Glass Insert

Victorian sterling silver & glass match striker, hallmarked Birmingham 1897

A 19th century beaten copper temple bell, with Striker and…

Antique Copper Temple Bell with Striker and Stand

A 19th century beaten copper temple bell, with Striker and stand, with accompanying striker and Negoro lacquer stand and silk pillow, 21 x 14 cm

A sterling silver mounted match striker by James Deakin & Sons,…

Sterling Silver Match Striker by James Deakin & Sons

A sterling silver mounted match striker by James Deakin & Sons, Chester 1904

Two sterling silver match box covers of Rhomboid form (2) the…

Sterling Silver Rhomboid Match Box Covers (Set of 2)

Two sterling silver match box covers of Rhomboid form (2) the first fitted with commercial strikers to sides, plain, lidded, engraved with initials 'A E' 13.7.22. Marked for S. Hoffring & Co., maker W.j.sanders, Sydney . the second a plain duplicate box

Scottish terrier match striker, 5 cm high

Scottie Striker: A Petite Match Holder

Scottish terrier match striker, 5 cm high

The cabinet real Scotch match Striker

Scotch Match Striker Cabinet

The cabinet real Scotch match Striker

Burkes Dublin Whisky match Striker

Burkes Whisky vs Striker: A Perfect Pairing

Burkes Dublin Whisky match Striker

Five glass match Strikers, including one with silver rim; a & J.…

Five Glass Match Strikers with Silver Rim by A&J Zimmerman

Five glass match Strikers, including one with silver rim; a & J. Zimmerman, Birmingham. (5)

A sterling rimmed glass match striker

Sterling Rim Match Striker Glass

A sterling rimmed glass match striker

A Stirling silver matchbox, lidded. Accommodates tray from a…

Engraved Stirling Silver Matchbox with Commercial Striker

A Stirling silver matchbox, lidded. Accommodates tray from a commercial box of matches, commercial striker fitted to side below the hinged lid, engraved with mongram 'T V' 5.10.19. Marked for W J Proud, Sydney.

Stirling silver matchbox, large rectangular form plain with…

Sterling Silver Matchbox by W.J. Sanders (1915-1920)

Stirling silver matchbox, large rectangular form plain with hinged lid, insctribed 'F.C.P.' grooved striker covers base. Makers mark for W.J. Sanders, circa 1915 - 1920. (2 x 6.4 x 3.2 cm).

Stirling silver matchbox, rectangular, plain / hinged lid with…

Edward Sansome Stirling Silver Matchbox with Initials

Stirling silver matchbox, rectangular, plain / hinged lid with initials 'H K G' striker on base, mark: 'E.S' for Edward Sansome, Sydney and ST. SILVER. Circa 1890-1900.

Sterling silver mounted glass match striker, hallmarked 1899

1899 Hallmarked Sterling Silver Glass Match Striker

Sterling silver mounted glass match striker, hallmarked 1899

Early boot shaped match striker, 7 cm wide

Boot-shaped Match Striker, 7cm Wide

Early boot shaped match striker, 7 cm wide

Stones ginger wine match Striker

Ginger Wine Striker Match-Up

Stones ginger wine match Striker

Large glass match striker with silver collar, hallmarked…

Birmingham Hallmarked Glass Match Striker with Silver Collar

Large glass match striker with silver collar, hallmarked Birmingham, height approx 8.5 cm

Two antique figural strikers. Approx 14 cm & shorter.

Antique Figural Strikers Pair

Two antique figural strikers. Approx 14 cm & shorter.

Thomas Webb rare pair of crystal Strikers each etched to base…

Rare Crystal Strikers by Thomas Webb, England (Pair)

Thomas Webb rare pair of crystal Strikers each etched to base 'Webb England' (2), height 8.5 cm. Provenance: Property of a Lady, NSW

Three sterling silver mounted match strikers

Silver Match Strikers with Sterling Mounts

Three sterling silver mounted match strikers

A Victorian Nautical theme dinner gong in the form of an oak…

Victorian Nautical Dinner Gong with Silver Plated Accents

A Victorian Nautical theme dinner gong in the form of an oak anchor with silver plated arrow ends, cross, striker and gong. Faults. Height 36 cm

Pair of antique sterling mounted match strikers

Antique Sterling Match Strikers

Pair of antique sterling mounted match strikers

Mammoth antique Asprey sterling mounted match striker engraved'…

Asprey Sterling Match Striker Engraved 'Anne' Antique

Mammoth antique Asprey sterling mounted match striker engraved' Anne'

Good early Victorian ebony go-to-bed with striker to base

Victorian Ebony Go-To-Bed with Striker

Good early Victorian ebony go-to-bed with striker to base