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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Silver vesta case, Birmingham 1902

Birmingham 1902 Silver Vesta Case

Silver vesta case, Birmingham 1902

A Victorian sterling silver vesta, Chester, makers marks rubbed…

Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta from Chester (8 words)

A Victorian sterling silver vesta, Chester, makers marks rubbed 12 grms

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham,…

Edwardian Silver Vesta Case with Monogram, 1902

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham, 1902, W.H, of rectangular form with a hinged top cover, engraved with monogram to front, striker plate to foot, with gilt wash interior, total weight 23.80gm, length 4 cm

A sterling silver vesta case, Horton and Allday, Birmingham,…

Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1894

A sterling silver vesta case, Horton and Allday, Birmingham, 1894, rectangular in shape with engraved initials to front, Wt 19 grams 4 x 3 cm

Two sterling silver vesta cases, Henry Matthews, Birmingham,…

Pair of Sterling Silver Vesta Cases by Henry Matthews

Two sterling silver vesta cases, Henry Matthews, Birmingham, 1918-1920 Wt 65 grams

Victorian hallmarked sterling silver vesta case. Birmingham,…

Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1900

Victorian hallmarked sterling silver vesta case. Birmingham, 1900, by H Matthews. Scrolling engraved decoration, central cartouche with monogram. Wt. 5 9g

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

Victorian sterling silver vesta case, marks rubbed, of…

Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Floral Cartouche, 5cm

Victorian sterling silver vesta case, marks rubbed, of rectangular form, with cartouche and floral surround, height 5 cm

Sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1902

1902 Birmingham Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vesta Case

Sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1902

Sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1899

Birmingham 1899 Sterling Silver Vesta Case

Sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1899

Victorian hallmarked sterling silver vesta. Hallmarked…

Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta with Provenance

Victorian hallmarked sterling silver vesta. Hallmarked Birmingham 1893. Maker 'W?' engraved with scrolling foliate decoration. Monogrammed 'Wi' for Wilfrid Inman and dated '19.5.97.' Dents. Provenance: Mary Martin and Wilfrid Inman estate. Sir James…

A 925 silver vesta case, embossed to each side with a golfing…

Embossed Golfing Silver Vesta Case

A 925 silver vesta case, embossed to each side with a golfing theme, 4 cm high, 3 cm wide

Stirling silver double vesta case, plain flip top, inscribed 'F.…

Silver Vesta Case with Inscription, c. 1915-1920

Stirling silver double vesta case, plain flip top, inscribed 'F.B.H.', Makers standard marks for W J Sanders, Sydney, c1915 - 1920.

Heavy Chinese silver (90) vesta box, cast 'Floral' decoration.…

Chinese Silver Floral Vesta Box, Shanghai C 1900

Heavy Chinese silver (90) vesta box, cast 'Floral' decoration. Luen Hing, Shanghai C 1900.

Early Austrian silver match box, lid with two compartments,…

Austrian Silver Match Box with Dual Compartments (1846)

Early Austrian silver match box, lid with two compartments, Vienna, possibly 1846 (mark rubbed) 812.5/1000 std.

Stylish 'Art Deco' silver plate vesta box, (2). Stylish 'Art…

Art Deco Silver Plate Vesta Boxes (Set of 2)

Stylish 'Art Deco' silver plate vesta box, (2). Stylish 'Art Deco' silver plate vesta box, (2) Grooved Striker as base marked 'Saillard Aine, Besancon, France, Early 20th century. a Silver Plate on Brass 'Lady's Boot' box (l. 8 cm) Striker on heel,…

A sterling silver vesta case, plain design. Samuel M Levi,…

Plain Sterling Silver Vesta Case by Samuel M Levi

A sterling silver vesta case, plain design. Samuel M Levi, Birmingham 1908. Weight 33g

Miniature sterling silver vesta case with pill box, both with…

Embossed Sterling Silver Vesta and Pill Box

Miniature sterling silver vesta case with pill box, both with embossed scroll decoration

A Victorian sterling silver vesta case, etched foliate design…

Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Etched Foliate Design

A Victorian sterling silver vesta case, etched foliate design and monogrammed 'Pep' on one side and crest 'Je suis pr\ufffdt ' to verso. Length 5 cm. Weight 21.3g

Victorian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Chester 1900,…

Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, 1900

Victorian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Chester 1900, maker: E J Trevitt & Sons, with engraved decoration and initialed H.G.B

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham…

Edwardian Silver Vesta with Engraved Leaf Decoration and Monogram

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1901, maker Minshull & Latimer, with engraved leaf decoration and monogrammed

Edward VII sterling silver round vesta case hallmarked Chester…

Edward VII Silver Vesta Case with Queen Victoria Coin

Edward VII sterling silver round vesta case hallmarked Chester 1904, makers mark rubbed, with inscribed initials L.J.O.B, and a Queen Victoria silver coin attached, 20 grams

Edwardian sterling silver matchbox cover Birmingham 1908,…

Floral Sterling Silver Matchbox Cover, Birmingham 1908

Edwardian sterling silver matchbox cover Birmingham 1908, makers Lionel Smith and Company, embossed floral decoration, weight 10grams.

Sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1900, maker:…

Birmingham 1900 Sterling Silver Vesta Case by Minshull & Latimer

Sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1900, maker: Minshull & Latimer, 24 grams.

Victorian sterling silver vesta case Birmingham 1885, makers C…

Victorian Sterling Silver Monogrammed Vesta Case

Victorian sterling silver vesta case Birmingham 1885, makers C and S, monogrammed, height 4 cm; weight 6grams approx.

Edwardian sterling silver vesta engraved decoration, hallmarked…

Antique Birmingham 1914 Sterling Silver Vesta with Engraved Decoration

Edwardian sterling silver vesta engraved decoration, hallmarked Birmingham 1914.

Edwardian sterling silver vesta, Chester 1903, maker William…

Engraved Edwardian Sterling Silver Vesta with Monogram, 1903

Edwardian sterling silver vesta, Chester 1903, maker William Neale, engraved decoration, monogrammed. Weight 16grams

George V sterling silver vesta, Birmingham 1911, maker Thomas…

Engraved George V Silver Vesta, Birmingham 1911

George V sterling silver vesta, Birmingham 1911, maker Thomas Hayes, engraved decoration. Weight 15grams

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case, Chester 1909, maker…

Monogrammed Edwardian Silver Vesta Case, Chester 1909

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case, Chester 1909, maker William Neal, monogrammed. weight 30grams

An Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, monogrammed Wh, and…

Monogrammed Edwardian Sterling Silver Vesta Case, 1908

An Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, monogrammed Wh, and dated 19.8.09, Sampson Mordan & Co Ltd, Chester 1908. Weight 63g.

A sterling silver vesta case, light foliate design, Joseph…

Foliate Vesta Case by Joseph Gloster, Birmingham 1896

A sterling silver vesta case, light foliate design, Joseph Gloster, Birmingham 1896. Height 3.5 cm. Weight 12.2g

A silver vesta case, machine turned detail, engraved shield to…

Machine-Turned Silver Vesta Case with Engraved Shield

A silver vesta case, machine turned detail, engraved shield to front.

An Australian silver match case, plain; Prouds, c.1930

Plain Australian Silver Match Case, c.1930

An Australian silver match case, plain; Prouds, c.1930

A Victorian silver match case, plain rectangular; C.H.Cheshire,…

Victorian Silver Match Case by C.H. Cheshire, Birmingham 1890

A Victorian silver match case, plain rectangular; C.H.Cheshire, Birmingham 1890

A Victorian silver match case engraved with scrolls and with…

Victorian Silver Match Case with Engraved Scrolls

A Victorian silver match case engraved with scrolls and with monogrammed cartouche; Chester 1898.

Victorian silver vesta, engraved Matches., hallmarked London…

Victorian Engraved Silver Vesta, London 1889

Victorian silver vesta, engraved Matches., hallmarked London 1889, 7.5 cm wide approx., 59g approx.

Sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1938, 18 grams…

Birmingham Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vesta, 1938

Sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1938, 18 grams approx

Small hallmarked sterling silver vesta hallmarked Birmingham…

Birmingham 1939 Sterling Silver Vesta

Small hallmarked sterling silver vesta hallmarked Birmingham 1939

Small hallmarked silver vesta total weight 19.07 grams approx

Hallmarked silver vesta, 19.07g

Small hallmarked silver vesta total weight 19.07 grams approx

Sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1910, William Hair…

Birmingham 1910 William Hair Haseler Silver Vesta - 24.4g

Sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1910, William Hair Haseler, approx 24.4 grams

Sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1911 maker G.L,…

Birmingham 1911 Sterling Silver Vesta, 451g, G.L Maker

Sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1911 maker G.L, approx 451. grams, 6.5 cm length

Hallmarked silver vesta, Chester 1901

Chester 1901 Hallmarked Silver Vesta

Hallmarked silver vesta, Chester 1901

Hallmarked sterling silver vesta hallmarked Birmingham 1903

Birmingham 1903 Sterling Silver Vesta

Hallmarked sterling silver vesta hallmarked Birmingham 1903

Edwardian sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1901

Birmingham 1901 Sterling Silver Vesta

Edwardian sterling silver vesta, hallmarked Birmingham 1901

Sterling silver match box cover with regimental crest,…

Regimental Crest Sterling Silver Match Box Cover

Sterling silver match box cover with regimental crest, Birmingham hallmark

Vesta case. Decorated sterling silver hallmarked Birmingham…

Birmingham Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vesta Case

Vesta case. Decorated sterling silver hallmarked Birmingham 1900 5.5 x 3.5 cm

Vesta case. Small decorated sterling silver hallmarked…

Birmingham Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vesta Case

Vesta case. Small decorated sterling silver hallmarked Birmingham 1899 4.5 x 3 cm

Victorian silver vesta case, Birmingham 1915

Birmingham 1915 Silver Vesta Case

Victorian silver vesta case, Birmingham 1915

Sterling silver rimmed table vesta

Silver Rimmed Table Vesta

Sterling silver rimmed table vesta

Victorian silver vesta, Birmingham 1892

Birmingham 1892 Victorian Silver Vesta

Victorian silver vesta, Birmingham 1892

A sterling silver large match box holder, 3.5 x 9.5 x 6 cm Wt…

A sterling silver large match box holder, 3.5 x 9.5 x 6 cm Wt 90 grams

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.

Sterling silver vesta Birmingham 1912, maker Charles S Green co.…

Birmingham 1912 Sterling Silver Vesta with Match Box Cover

Sterling silver vesta Birmingham 1912, maker Charles S Green co. Ltd with a sterling silver match box cover (2)

A sterling silver match box, engraved to 'G.Angus, Wykeham…

Engraved Sterling Silver Match Box by William Hornby, 1906

A sterling silver match box, engraved to 'G.Angus, Wykeham Close, Steyning'. Probably by William Hornby, London 1906. Weight 103g.

A sterling silver vesta case, shaped as a pig. Length 5 cm.…

Pig-shaped Sterling Silver Vesta Case

A sterling silver vesta case, shaped as a pig. Length 5 cm. Weight 14g.

A sterling silver match case, shaped as a pig. Length 5 cm.…

Pig-shaped Sterling Silver Match Case

A sterling silver match case, shaped as a pig. Length 5 cm. Weight 17.5g.

A sterling silver vesta case, plain design, Birmingham, 1920. 5.…

Birmingham 1920 Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Plain Design

A sterling silver vesta case, plain design, Birmingham, 1920. 5.5 x 5 cm. Weight 33.9g.

Edward VII sterling silver vesta Birmingham 1908, height 5 cm.

Edward VII Sterling Silver Vesta, Birmingham 1908

Edward VII sterling silver vesta Birmingham 1908, height 5 cm.

Edwardian sterling silver mounted mirror London 1907, a silver…

Edwardian Silver Mirror, Button Hook & Vesta Case Set

Edwardian sterling silver mounted mirror London 1907, a silver handle button hook Chester 1906 and a metal vesta case

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham…

Edward VII Silver Vesta Case with Engraved Initials

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1902, maker: Henry Matthews, with engraved initials D.B.W to front, 28 grams

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1906,…

Edwardian Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1906

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1906, 4.3 cm x 3.6 cm

Edwardian sterling silver vesta Hallmarked Birmingham 1916,…

Edwardian silver vesta with matches and split lid

Edwardian sterling silver vesta Hallmarked Birmingham 1916, contains some old wax matches. 5 cm by 3.5 cm. Split to lid

George V sterling silver vesta marked Birmingham 1912. Approx…

1912 Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta - 43g

George V sterling silver vesta marked Birmingham 1912. Approx 43 grams

George V sterling silver vesta marked WHH 1913 Birmingham. As…

1913 Sterling Silver Vesta and Thimble Set

George V sterling silver vesta marked WHH 1913 Birmingham. As well as a antique English silver thimble for restoration. Approx total weight 15 grams

George V sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1912,…

1912 Birmingham Hallmarked Silver Vesta Case by Albert Jackson

George V sterling silver vesta case hallmarked Birmingham 1912, maker: Albert Jackson, 14 grams approx

Edward VII sterling silver vesta Birmingham 1907, makers Horace…

Monogrammed Sterling Silver Vesta, Birmingham 1907

Edward VII sterling silver vesta Birmingham 1907, makers Horace Woodward & Co, monogrammed, weight 30grams

George V sterling silver vesta, Chester 1919, makers J. & R.…

Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta with Monogram, 1919

George V sterling silver vesta, Chester 1919, makers J. & R. Griffin, engraved decoration, monogrammed. Weight 12grams

Sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1910 (Rolason…

1910 Birmingham Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vesta Case

Sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham 1910 (Rolason Brothers)

A silver match case, monogrammed on plain design, James Dixon &…

1905 Sheffield Silver Match Case with Monogram

A silver match case, monogrammed on plain design, James Dixon & Son, Sheffield 1905. Weight 34g. 5 x 5 x 1 cm

An Edward VII silver vesta case, foliate engraving, Birmingham,…

Edward VII Silver Vesta Case with Foliate Engraving (9 words)

An Edward VII silver vesta case, foliate engraving, Birmingham, 1907. Mark obscured, possibly Tg.

A Victorian silver vesta case, engraved with floral decoration,…

Engraved Victorian Silver Vesta Case with Floral Design

A Victorian silver vesta case, engraved with floral decoration, initialled to front of case; Rolason Bros, Birmingham, 1898.

A Victorian silver match case engraved with leaf scrolls and…

Victorian Silver Match Case with Leaf Scroll Engraving

A Victorian silver match case engraved with leaf scrolls and with vacant cartouche; Birmingham 1894

A Victorian silver match case, Minshull & Latimer, Birmingham…

Victorian Silver Match Case by Minshull & Latimer

A Victorian silver match case, Minshull & Latimer, Birmingham 1896

Five small sterling silver items comprising, child's rattle in…

Sterling Silver Child's Rattle, Vesta Case, Mirror & Buckles

Five small sterling silver items comprising, child's rattle in the form of an acorn with mother of pearl teething ring, vesta case, hand mirror and pair of buckles

Vesta case, sterling silver, with foliate carvings, inscribed…

Foliate Carved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, 1900

Vesta case, sterling silver, with foliate carvings, inscribed Harry to Bob, Chester, 1900, length 3.5 cm

Sterling silver match box case, hallmarked London 1894 maker…

Antique Silver Matchbox Case & Christening Set

Sterling silver match box case, hallmarked London 1894 maker William Comyns & sons, together with a boxed silver plated christening set

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham,…

Edwardian Silver Vesta Case with Monogram

Edwardian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Birmingham, 1907, B&S Ld, of shaped rectangular form with a hinged cover, engraved with central monogram roundel within radiating incised linear decoration, total weigth 24.41gm, length 4.3 cm

Late Victorian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Chester,…

Victorian Sterling Silver Love Heart Vesta Case

Late Victorian sterling silver vesta case, hallmarked Chester, 1899, C.L&S, of rectangular form with a hinged cover, encised with love heart surrounded by foliate scrolling, total weight 18.66gm, length 5 cm

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case, hexagonal with engraved…

Hexagonal Edwardian Sterling Silver Vesta Case, 1901

Edward VII sterling silver vesta case, hexagonal with engraved decoration, Chester 1901

Silver vesta case, Chester 1907

Chester 1907 Silver Vesta Case

Silver vesta case, Chester 1907

Silver vesta case, Chester 1909

Chester 1909 Silver Vesta Case

Silver vesta case, Chester 1909

Alpaca silver vesta case rectangular fluted form

Fluted Alpaca Silver Vesta Case

Alpaca silver vesta case rectangular fluted form

A sterling silver vesta case, Birmingham, 1907, rectangular in…

Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1907

A sterling silver vesta case, Birmingham, 1907, rectangular in shape with engraved filigree detail

A sterling silver Monogrammed vesta box, Birmingham 1919,…

Monogrammed Sterling Silver Vesta Box, Birmingham 1919

A sterling silver Monogrammed vesta box, Birmingham 1919, Makers mark 'CSC & Co.' retailers mark 'Frasers Ltd Brisbane.' monogram 'RLW'.

A sterling silver match box, foliate designs, damages, Crisford…

1901 Sterling Silver Match Box with Foliate Designs and Damages

A sterling silver match box, foliate designs, damages, Crisford & Norris Ltd, Birmingham, 1901. Weight 17g

A sterling silver vesta case, with a sterling silver chain.…

Monogrammed Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Chain

A sterling silver vesta case, with a sterling silver chain. Vesta monogrammed PS, hallmarked faint. Weight all in 49.2g.

Victorian sterling silver vesta Sheffield 1900, engraved…

Engraved Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta, Sheffield 1900

Victorian sterling silver vesta Sheffield 1900, engraved decoration, monogrammed, height 5 cm

English sterling silver vesta case hallmark and makers mark…

Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Etched Decoration and Dents

English sterling silver vesta case hallmark and makers mark rubbed, etched initials,leaf and floral decoration some dents, height 5.5 cm 22 grams

Vesta case, sterling silver, Minshull and Latimer, with foliate…

Foliate Carved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Birmingham 1914

Vesta case, sterling silver, Minshull and Latimer, with foliate carvings, Birmingham, 1914

Sterling silver vesta on a silver plate chain, hallmarked…

Birmingham 1911 Hallmarked Sterling Silver Vesta on Chain

Sterling silver vesta on a silver plate chain, hallmarked Birmingham 1911

A sterling silver vesta case, lightly engraved with floral…

Floral Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case 1924

A sterling silver vesta case, lightly engraved with floral design. J & R Griffin, Chester 1924. Length 3.8 cm. Weight 15g.

A sterling silver vesta case, lightly engraved with floral…

Floral Engraved Sterling Silver Vesta Case, 1905

A sterling silver vesta case, lightly engraved with floral design. Robert Pringle & Sons, Chester 1905. Length 4.2 cm. Weight 12g.

Art Nouveau silver plated vesta, with raised maiden figure, 3.3…

Art Nouveau Maiden Silver Vesta

Art Nouveau silver plated vesta, with raised maiden figure, 3.3 cm x 6 cm approx.

An Australian silver match case, plain; E.C., c.1930

Australian Silver Match Case, c.1930

An Australian silver match case, plain; E.C., c.1930

Sterling silver vesta stamped STERLING to inside rim, 6.2 cm x…

Sterling Silver Vesta with STERLING Stamp, 6.2 x 3.8 cm

Sterling silver vesta stamped STERLING to inside rim, 6.2 cm x 3.8 cm

A sterling silver vesta case, Hallmarks dated 1919, Birmingham.…

1919 Birmingham Sterling Silver Vesta Case, 4 cm Length

A sterling silver vesta case, Hallmarks dated 1919, Birmingham. Length 4 cm