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...

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George V sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham,…

Birmingham 1915 George V Sterling Silver Vesta Case

George V sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham, 1915, of rectangular form, decorated with central medallion surrounded by scrolling acanthus pattern, total weight 25gm, 5 cm x 4 cm

Two English sterling silver items, comprising table match case,…

English Sterling Silver Table Match Case and Small Toast Rack

Two English sterling silver items, comprising table match case, hallmarked Chester, 1904, Bpdc (boots pure Drug Company), 3 cm x 8.5 cm x 5 cm, and a small toast rack hallmarked Birmingham, 1885, Jd/Wd (James Deakin & Sons), 8 cm x 8 cm, total combined…

9ct silver lined vesta case, hinged plain rectangular 60 mm x…

Silver Lined Vesta Case: Hinged Rectangular Design (60mm x 45mm)

9ct silver lined vesta case, hinged plain rectangular 60 mm x 45 mm

Sterling silver vesta case, decorated with engraved scrolls,…

Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Chester 1900 Hallmark

Sterling silver vesta case, decorated with engraved scrolls, hallmarked Chester 1900

A sterling silver vesta case, John Troup & Sons, Birmingham…

Sterling Silver Vesta Case, John Troup & Sons 1907 (11.8g)

A sterling silver vesta case, John Troup & Sons, Birmingham 1907. Weight 11.8g.

Vienna silver combination cigarette and vesta case marked 950,…

Vienna silver combination cigarette and vesta case marked 950, Georg Adam, Vienna, importer Gourdel Vales & Co, London, 1910, with Asprey retailer mark, of rectangular form, with engine turned surface with monogram, with hinged cover and hinged vesta,…

Victorian silver vesta case marked Chester 1900 W, N, size 43 x…

Victorian silver vesta case marked Chester 1900 W, N, size 43 x 37 mm, restored and with later applied plain cartouche

Two Edwardian and George V sterling silver vesta cases, 1909…

Two Edwardian and George V sterling silver vesta cases, 1909 Birmingham, with maker's mark for Horace Woodward & Co Ltd 1912 Birmingham, with maker's mark for Albert Jackson comprising one with a fine rib and dot motifs, the other smaller foliate engraved…

A silver (840) match box cover, engraved floral detail & a…

A silver (840) match box cover, engraved floral detail & a matching napkin ring, Wt 61 grams

George V sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1915,…

George V sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1915, maker: Bradley British Overseas Ltd (Percy Nind-Ward), with engraved decoration, approximate total weight 16 grams (some minor dents)

Two sterling silver vesta cases, Henry Charles Freeman & J.C…

Two sterling silver vesta cases, Henry Charles Freeman & J.C Ltd, Birmingham, 1902 & 1912

Two sterling silver vesta cases, Clark & Sewell (James Clark &…

Two sterling silver vesta cases, Clark & Sewell (James Clark & John Sewell) & W J Myatt & Co, Chester, 1908 & 1910

George IV sterling silver vinaigrette, with fluted bands and…

George IV sterling silver vinaigrette, with fluted bands and engraved initials, London 1821, makers initials, We, together with a George V sterling silver vesta case, Birmingham 1916

Victorian sterling silver heart shape vesta case, all engraved…

Victorian sterling silver heart shape vesta case, all engraved Birmingham 1897

Edward VII sterling silver vesta, oblong all scroll engraved…

Edward VII sterling silver vesta, oblong all scroll engraved Birmingham 1910

Victorian sterling silver sovereign & vesta case, the front…

Victorian sterling silver sovereign & vesta case, the front with engraved name and leaves, London 1880

Two sterling silver vesta cases, one with engraved decoration…

Two sterling silver vesta cases, one with engraved decoration the other with an engraved monogram

Sterling silver vesta case, oblong all scroll engraved together…

Sterling silver vesta case, oblong all scroll engraved together with other and mother of pearl pocket knife

An antique sterling silver match vesta with a clever push…

An antique sterling silver match vesta with a clever push sliding hinged lid mechanism, 19th century, 6 cm wide, 65 grams

Victorian novelty silver plate cello vesta length 63 mm

Victorian novelty silver plate cello vesta length 63 mm

A sterling silver vesta with engraved detail, Birmingham, 1877.…

A sterling silver vesta with engraved detail, Birmingham, 1877. Wt 12 grams

An Edwardian silver vesta case, finely engraved case with…

An Edwardian silver vesta case, finely engraved case with vacant cartouche, hallmarked Birmingham 1906, maker W H Hasler, size 38 x 28 mm, wt, 16.29g.