What is a silver Vesta case?

Vesta cases or vesta boxes are small portable boxes to protect matches and make sure they stay dry, which is why they are also known as match safes. They are named after the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta.

What is a Victorian vesta case?

A vesta case is a small box that’s designed to hold matches. The name Vesta is taken from the Roman goddess of the hearth. Interestingly, in the 1830s, friction matches became as popular as strike-anywhere matches. However, they were unstable and could combust at any time, so a case to hold and protect the individual matches was necessary. Shop a range of antique and vintage vesta cases on 1stDibs.

What are Vesta cases used for?

With a name borrowed from the Roman goddess for fire and the hearth, Vesta cases were used to store matches and protect them from getting wet. On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of Vesta cases from some of the world’s top sellers.

When were Vesta cases invented?

Vesta cases were invented in the early 18th century, shortly after the 1826 advent of the friction “lucifer” matches, which could spontaneously ignite and even explode from friction. Vesta cases were developed to hold the matches to protect them from friction — and the match-holder from danger. Small and compact, these cases typically had a hinged lid and were usually made of gold or silver, and they ranged from very plain to highly ornate. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vesta cases from top sellers worldwide.

Vesta Case English

Sterling Silver Vesta Match

Match Box

Edwardian Golf English Sterling Silver Vesta Case

$2,251

H 0.3 in Dm 1.5 in

Edwardian Golf English Sterling Silver Vesta Case

By George Houston

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver vesta case with golfing interest

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century English Sterling Silver Equestrian Horseshoe Vesta Case Match Box

$995

H 1.4 in W 1.2 in D 0.3 in

19th Century English Sterling Silver Equestrian Horseshoe Vesta Case Match Box

Located in Pearland, TX

A superb antique 19th Century English sterling silver equestrian horseshoe vesta case match box and

Category

Antique 1880s English Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Early 20th Century English Gold And Sterling Silver Vesta Case/Keepsake

$450

H 1.6 in W 1.12 in D 0.2 in

Early 20th Century English Gold And Sterling Silver Vesta Case/Keepsake

By Smith & Bartlam

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This is an Early 20th Century English Gold and Sterling Silver Vesta Case/ Keepsake Pendant. It

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver

Recent Sales

English Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Chester Races, Hallmarked:-Sheffield 1898

Unavailable

H 2.13 in W 1.14 in D 0.56 in

English Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Chester Races, Hallmarked:-Sheffield 1898

By William Neale & Son Ltd

Located in York, GB

English sterling silver - VESTA CASE - CHESTER RACES. A full English hallmarks for Sheffield 1898

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique English Sterling Silver Match Strike / Vesta Case, 1910

Sold

H 0.75 in W 2.5 in D 1.63 in

Antique English Sterling Silver Match Strike / Vesta Case, 1910

Located in Bath, GB

A very smart and very elegant kidney shaped vesta case or match striker made from a heavy gauge of

Category

Early 20th Century British Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

English Novelty Dog Kennel Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case

Sold

H 1.58 in W 1.88 in D 1.38 in

English Novelty Dog Kennel Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case

By George Heath

Located in Newark, England

to offer this Dog Kennel Silver and Enamel Vesta Case. The Silver and Enamel Vesta Case of Novelty

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century English Silver Vesta Case, Pocket Match Safes for Shabbat Lights

Sold

H 1.97 in W 2.37 in D 0.79 in

19th Century English Silver Vesta Case, Pocket Match Safes for Shabbat Lights

Located in New York, NY

Sterling silver vesta case, pocket match safes, made in England, 1864. Engraved on the cover with

Category

Antique 1860s English Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Victorian English Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Enamel

Sold

H 0.4 in Dm 1.2 in

Victorian English Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Enamel

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel envelope style vesta

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Boxes

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Boar Vesta Case

Sold

H 1.1 in Dm 0.6 in

Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Boar Vesta Case

By Lawrence Emanuel, Birmingham 1

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver vesta case in the

Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique English Sterling Silver Victorian Novelty Vesta Case

Sold

H 1.19 in W 1.78 in D 0.6 in

Antique English Sterling Silver Victorian Novelty Vesta Case

Located in London, GB

A very unusual novelty vesta in the form of a Gladstone bag. The removable striking plate,with ring

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Tobacco Accessories

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Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure

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A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...

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Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

$2,842

H 10.75 in W 5.25 in D 4.4 in

Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

By Victor Horta

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Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...

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Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Vases

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Bronze

LOUIS KUPPENHEIM 1925 Trompe L'œil Malachite Enameled Box In .935 Sterling

$2,089Sale Price|30% Off

H 3.12 in W 2.01 in D 0.51 in

LOUIS KUPPENHEIM 1925 Trompe L'œil Malachite Enameled Box In .935 Sterling

By Louis Kuppenheim

Located in Miami, FL

Art deco Trompe L'œil enameled box by Louis Kuppenheim. This is a beautiful decorative box, created in Germany during the art deco period, back in the 1925. This superb elegant box ...

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19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall

$526,858 / set

H 114.5 in W 35.5 in D 5 in

19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall

Located in London, GB

The Lartington hall carved Boiserie panels by Signor Anton Leone Bulletti. A highly important suite of eight carved and patinated wood panels commissioned by Monsignor Thomas Edw...

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Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling

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Karl Rössler 1890 Austrian Vesta Tinder Box In .800 Silver 18Kt Gold And Niello

$1,155Sale Price|30% Off

H 2.41 in W 1.42 in D 0.51 in

Karl Rössler 1890 Austrian Vesta Tinder Box In .800 Silver 18Kt Gold And Niello

By Karl Rössler 1

Located in Miami, FL

Austro-Hungarian empire mechanical vesta tinder case made by Karl Rössler Beautiful antique fusee vesta tinder case, created in Vienna Austria around the 1890. It was crafted at the...

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Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Late Victorian Decorative Boxes

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Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique German Silver Music Box in the Form of a Grand Piano

$20,526

H 6.3 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in

Antique German Silver Music Box in the Form of a Grand Piano

Located in London, GB

This charming antique silver musical box features a singing bird, which appears from an opening oval. The musical box is exquisitely crafted in the shape of a miniature grand piano, ...

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Victorian Sterling Silver Horseshoe Vesta Case

$2,182

H 0.5 in Dm 2.2 in

Victorian Sterling Silver Horseshoe Vesta Case

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver vesta case in the form of a horseshoe; an addition to our equestrian related silverware collection This fine antique ...

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Antique 1870s English Victorian Tobacco Accessories

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Silver, Sterling Silver

Victorian Sterling Silver and Erotica Enamel Vesta Case

$2,401

H 0.4 in W 1.3 in D 1.6 in

Victorian Sterling Silver and Erotica Enamel Vesta Case

By B&S, Birmingham 1

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and erotica enamel vesta case; an addition to our range of collectable silver cases This fine antique Victorian sterl...

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Antique 1880s English Victorian Boxes

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19th Century Regency Oak Fireplace Inspired by Versailles, France

$124,339

H 162.21 in W 88.98 in D 30.71 in

19th Century Regency Oak Fireplace Inspired by Versailles, France

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Antique oak wood fireplace inspired by the fireplace in the Hercules Salon in Versailles Palace. This antique Regence style fireplace was made out of carved oak wood in the late 19th...

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Vesta Case English For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal vesta case English for your home. A vesta case English — often made from metal, silver and sterling silver — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a vesta case English — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A vesta case English, designed in the Victorian or Georgian style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made vesta case English has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by George Houston, Adie Brothers and B&S, Birmingham are consistently popular.

How Much is a Vesta Case English?

Prices for a vesta case English start at $534 and top out at $9,885 with the average selling for $1,983.

Questions About Vesta Case English

What is a silver Vesta case?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Vesta cases or vesta boxes are small portable boxes to protect matches and make sure they stay dry, which is why they are also known as match safes. They are named after the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta.
What is a Victorian vesta case?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A vesta case is a small box that’s designed to hold matches. The name Vesta is taken from the Roman goddess of the hearth. Interestingly, in the 1830s, friction matches became as popular as strike-anywhere matches. However, they were unstable and could combust at any time, so a case to hold and protect the individual matches was necessary. Shop a range of antique and vintage vesta cases on 1stDibs.
What are Vesta cases used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
With a name borrowed from the Roman goddess for fire and the hearth, Vesta cases were used to store matches and protect them from getting wet. On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of Vesta cases from some of the world’s top sellers.
When were Vesta cases invented?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Vesta cases were invented in the early 18th century, shortly after the 1826 advent of the friction “lucifer” matches, which could spontaneously ignite and even explode from friction. Vesta cases were developed to hold the matches to protect them from friction — and the match-holder from danger. Small and compact, these cases typically had a hinged lid and were usually made of gold or silver, and they ranged from very plain to highly ornate. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vesta cases from top sellers worldwide.