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...

24 items found:

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

Two antique silver mounted burra nut vesta cases, 19th century,…

Two antique silver mounted burra nut vesta cases, 19th century, 4.5 cm and 5 cm wide

An antique silver mounted burra nut vesta, 19th century, 4 cm…

19th Century Silver Burra Nut Vesta: Antique Miniature Accessory

An antique silver mounted burra nut vesta, 19th century, 4 cm high

Stewart of Melbourne, Australian silver mounted burra nut vesta,…

Rare Stewart Australian Silver Vesta with Burra Nut Mounts

Stewart of Melbourne, Australian silver mounted burra nut vesta, 19th century, rare. Stamped 'Stewart, Sterling' 4 cm high, 4.5 cm wide

William J. Bower Australian silver mounted burra nut vesta,…

Australian Silver Burra Nut Vesta by Bower, Circa 1880

William J. Bower Australian silver mounted burra nut vesta, circa 1880, rare. Bower operated out of Smith Street Fitzroy in Melbourne from 1880-1883. Stamped 'Bower, Sterling' 4.5 cm high, 4.5 cm wide

A circa 1900 silver mounted nut vesta, decorative serpentine…

Serpentine Silver Nut Vesta with Decorative Mounts

A circa 1900 silver mounted nut vesta, decorative serpentine band, shield and striker mounts.

An antique Australian burra nut vesta with silver shield plaque,…

Antique Burra Nut Vesta with Silver Shield Plaque

An antique Australian burra nut vesta with silver shield plaque, 19th century, a??5 cm wide

An antique Australian burra nut vesta with silver kangaroo…

Antique Burra Nut Vesta with Kangaroo Silver Plaque

An antique Australian burra nut vesta with silver kangaroo plaque, 19th century, 5 cm wide

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

Victorian coquilla nut & silver vesta monogrammed A.C. 4.5 cm…

Victorian Monogrammed Silver Vesta with Coquilla Nut

Victorian coquilla nut & silver vesta monogrammed A.C. 4.5 cm at its widest.

A collection of four Burra bean and silver vesta cases and a…

Burra Bean and Silver Vesta Cases with Flask Collection

A collection of four Burra bean and silver vesta cases and a flask, all with silver mounts, the vesta cases with hinged lids. The flask with silver stopper, lid and safety chain. (5). Provenance: The Tim Wonnacott collection. Other Notes: Tim Wonnacott…

A 19th century Australian burra bean and silver vesta case, the…

Australian Coat of Arms Silver Vesta Case with Sailing Ship

A 19th century Australian burra bean and silver vesta case, the silver mount decorated with the Australian coat of arms and a sailing ship, length 6 cm. Provenance: The Ruth Simon Collection, privately acquired from the above in 2005

A Burra bean and silver vesta, the plain silver mounts with…

Scalloped Silver Vesta with Burra Bean Design

A Burra bean and silver vesta, the plain silver mounts with scalloped edge, hinged lid, shield front.

An Australian silver mounted burra nut vesta with kangaroo…

Australian Kangaroo Vesta with Silver Mount, 19th Century

An Australian silver mounted burra nut vesta with kangaroo finial, 19th century, 5 cm high

Antique sterling silver and nut vesta case

Sterling Silver Nut Vesta Case - Antique Treasure

Antique sterling silver and nut vesta case

An Edwardian novelty silver 'bean shaped vesta case', embossed…

"Lucky Bean" Vesta Case

An Edwardian novelty silver 'bean shaped vesta case', embossed with 'Lucky Be, Lucky Bean', hinged lid. Chester 1900 by James Deakin & Sons. Length 5.6 cm.

19th century Australian silver and nut vesta case, by H.…

Antique Australian Vesta Case with Sterling Silver Cover

19th century Australian silver and nut vesta case, by H. Steiner of Adelaide, set with a sterling silver cover engraved ?ustralia' from Lord William Nevill// 1884', set upon a nut body with lower striker, length 4.5 cm. Note: Lord William Nevill has died…

Four vintage novelty vesta cases, includes: elephant curled…

Vintage Novelty Vesta Cases from Flower Family Collection

Four vintage novelty vesta cases, includes: elephant curled snake, horseshoe and nut with silver and enamelled shield fittings. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

Victorian sterling silver vesta case, made with nut

Victorian Nut Silver Vesta Case

Victorian sterling silver vesta case, made with nut

A Mucuna (drift seed/sea bean) vesta, the natural large seed…

Mucuna Seed Wax Vesta with Silver Mounts

A Mucuna (drift seed/sea bean) vesta, the natural large seed fitted with silver plate mounts as a wax vesta case.

Novelty sterling silver mounted seed pod vesta marked 'STG SIL',…

Sterling Silver Seed Pod Vesta, 1913

Novelty sterling silver mounted seed pod vesta marked 'STG SIL', circa 1913

Queensland bean vesta box Stirling silver mounts and striker.…

Worthington's Queensland Bean Silver Matchbox

Queensland bean vesta box Stirling silver mounts and striker. Marked; 'Worthington, Australia' and 'Stg Silver' under lid. Late 19th century.

Sterling silver and Tamarind seed vesta.

Silver Vesta with Tamarind Seed Design

Sterling silver and Tamarind seed vesta.

Australian Queensland blackbean & silver vesta engraved…

Engraved Vesta: Queensland Blackbean & Silver Australia 1903

Australian Queensland blackbean & silver vesta engraved AUSTRALIA 1903

A silver mounted nut vesta case, c.1900, probably Australian.…

Silver Nut Vesta Case, c.1900, Australian

A silver mounted nut vesta case, c.1900, probably Australian. Height 5.5 cm