Even today manticores feature in highly popular books and films, such as the Harry Potter series. The description of the manticore varies from the era to the country of the story teller. The choice of a mythical hybrid to adorn these cases makes them highly collectible. This rare nineteenth century French sterling silver smoking set is embellished with manticores. Esteemed goldsmiths such as Charles Murat, Asprey, Mappin & Webb, William Neale & Sons and Sampson Mordan, to name a few, crafted sterling silver vesta cases for discerning clients.ĬHARLES MURAT HALLMARKED SILVER VESTA CASEīack in the day some of these vesta cases would be presented with a matching or themed cigarette case.ĬHARLES MURAT STERLING SILVER SMOKING SET Necessary accessories would often become status symbols and this is true of vesta cases.Īffluent consumers would commission or purchase hallmarked gold or silver cases which the jeweller would often inscribe with their initials. Matches were known as vestas for a long period of time.īy the 1930s Swan Vestas were Britain's best selling match. The tagline the smoker’s match was used in promotional material. Swan Vestas were a little shorter than other household matches and so they became very popular with smokers. The name Swan Vestas was adopted in 1906 when the Diamond Match Company merged with Bryant and May. These matches were thin wooden splints soaked in wax. Swan White Pine Vestas were made by the Diamond Match Company. Hence the need to enclose them in a metal case. As the name suggests these matches would ignite when struck on many different surfaces, making them quite dangerous. In days gone by matches were used to light lanterns, fires and stoves and so almost everyone needed a vesta case.Īt one time matches were known as strike anywhere matches or vestas. The vesta had a tip of phosphorus and a wax stem over cotton threads. In 1832 an Englishman named William Newton patented a match named the wax vesta. In the United States these cases are known as match safes because they keep the matches safe in a non-flammable case. Her association with fire made her name the natural choice for British companies who manufactured matches. Only Vestals (her priestesses) were allowed into her temple. Usually Vesta was depicted as the fire in her temple. These cases take their name from the virgin Roman goddess of fire, home, hearth and family. There is even a Huntley & Palmers biscuit! The extraordinary collection shown below were auctioned at Christies in 2011. Novelty vesta cases were also made from brass and base metal. The striking plate is just about visible at the bottom in the middle of the case. This piece was assayed at Birmingham in 1883. The maker of the charming novelty vesta case shown above is S. Novelty vesta cases in the shape of boots, horseshoes, suitcases, books, people, animal heads, birds and even pigs proved as popular back in the day as they are in the 21st century.Ī VICTORIAN SILVER AND ENAMEL NOVELTY VESTA CASE These were often attached to a candlestick holder. During these times a candle would light the way to bed and so another type of vesta was named the go to bed vesta. Table or mounted vestas would keep the matches safe around the house. Some pocket vestas have a bale near the hinge so that they can be suspended from an Albert chain. The most popular being the portable pocket vestas. There are three main types of vesta cases. The vestas (matches) are dragged across the striker to ignite them. Usually the base of the vesta case has a serrated edge, known as the striker. The purpose of the vesta case is also to prevent the matches from igniting. They are made from precious and non-precious metals. Vesta cases are small portable boxes used to keep matches dry.
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