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Vesta cases, vesta boxes, or pocket match safes or matchsafes were small portable boxes made in a great variety of forms with snapshut covers to contain vestas (short matches) and keep them dry. The name of the Roman goddess Vesta, was used by an early maker of strike-anywhere matches.
These pocket-sized cases for carrying matches took their name from 'Vesta', the Roman Goddess of the hearth and home. A 'match' was known as a 'vesta' up until the twentieth century when 'match' became the favoured term.
Match holders, also known as matchsafes or vesta cases, date to the mid-19th century, when friction matches were first introduced. While a boon to cigar-puffing fat cats and homemakers alike, early friction matches, which were also called vestas and Lucifers, almost did their job too well, sometimes bursting into flame in a user’s pocket.
27 sie 2021 · This post will answer these questions: What are vesta cases? What are match safes? Why are they called vesta cases? What are vestas? How can I date a precious metal vesta case? How can I spot a fake?
Very nicely detailed English sterling silver novelty vesta case modelled as a cat with the base opening and incorporating the match striker. Hallmarked from London in 1990. In excellent order and stands 34mm tall.
Vesta cases were designed not only to hold matches but also to provide a striking surface on the bottom or interior lid for lighting the matches. Some vestas had additional features, such as a compartment for storing cigarettes or a built-in cigar cutter.
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