What is a match safe?

A match safe is a small portable box that is designed to hold matches and keep them dry. In the early 19th century, these boxes were very popular since matches were known to ignite unexpectedly when carried without a protective cover.

Match Safe

Victorian Safes

Antique Safes

Sterling Silver Match Box

Silver Vesta Case Art Nouveau

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14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Match Safe

Sold|~~$999~~

14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Match Safe

Located in Lake Havasu City, AZ

Very well made hinged antique match safe. Flowing interwoven script monogram. it has a ridged gold striker on the underside.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Deco Boxes and Cases

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Gorham Silvered Match Case

Sold|~~$195~~

Gorham Silvered Match Case

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in Chicago, IL

This is a comical match safe by the Gorham Company of Rhode Island, featuring three men out on the town.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Tobacco Accessories

Sterling Silver Man in the Moon Vesta

Sold|~~$600~~

Sterling Silver Man in the Moon Vesta

Located in New York, NY

Sterling silver "Man In The Moon" match safe. 1 7/8" in diameter. Heavy gauge silver.

Category

1990s British More Silver, Flatware and Silverplate

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Nude Sterling Silver and Erotica Enamel Vesta

Sold|~~$2,600~~

Antique Nude Sterling Silver and Erotica Enamel Vesta

Located in New York, NY

Antique match safe. Engine-turned sterling silver, with an enamel plaque, showing a nude woman being presented. 1 3/4"x 2 1/4."

Category

Vintage 1910s British More Objets d'Art and Vertu

Materials

Sterling Silver

Novelty 'Champagne Bottle' smokers companion, 1920

Sold|~~$3,239~~

Novelty 'Champagne Bottle' smokers companion, 1920

By Pairpoint Silver Company

Located in London, GB

An unusual and fine quality cigar smoker’s companion in the form of a Champagne bottle, the main body for storing the cigars, with a removable ashtray which unscrews from the base, a...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

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Match Safe For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the match safe you’re looking for. Frequently made of metal, silver and sterling silver, every match safe was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer match safe, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A match safe, designed in the Art Nouveau, Victorian or Art Deco style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made match safe has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Gorham Manufacturing Company, Gorham and Joseph Gloster are consistently popular.

How Much is a Match Safe?

Prices for a match safe can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $80 and can go as high as $8,950, while the average can fetch as much as $882.

Questions About Match Safe

What is a match safe?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
A match safe is a small portable box that is designed to hold matches and keep them dry. In the early 19th century, these boxes were very popular since matches were known to ignite unexpectedly when carried without a protective cover.