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English Silver and Enamel Vesta Case with Fox Hunting Scene, circa 1890–1910
$2,548.84
£1,909
€2,150
CA$3,577.71
A$3,913.61
CHF 2,039.04
MX$47,089.52
NOK 25,821.75
SEK 24,244.15
DKK 16,376.33
About the Item
A fine and highly decorative English sterling silver vesta case (match safe), hallmarked in London around the turn of the 20th century. This rectangular case combines utility with artistry, and is a particularly charming example of the enamelled silver novelties so popular among the sporting classes of late Victorian and Edwardian England.
The front panel is decorated with a beautifully hand-painted enamel scene of a traditional fox hunt in the English countryside. Riders dressed in red hunting coats (known as “pinks”) gallop across open fields, accompanied by a lively pack of hounds in full chase. The enamel is executed in vivid naturalistic colors, framed by the silver edges of the case. The reverse is engraved with an ornate monogram in intertwined script letters, most likely “HV”, adding a personal and aristocratic touch.
The case opens on a hinged lid and was designed to hold friction matches, with a ribbed striking surface to one edge. Such vesta cases were essential gentleman’s accessories in the late 19th century, often carried in waistcoat pockets, and enamelled examples with sporting scenes are particularly collectible today.
Hallmarks: Clearly struck on the side and lid with the lion passant (sterling standard), the leopard’s head (London assay office), f date letter for the year 1901, and a maker’s mark. The hallmarks confirm both the quality and authenticity of the piece.
Details
Origin: London, England
Date: 1901 (late Victorian period)
Material: Sterling silver with hand-painted enamel
Decoration: Enamel fox hunting scene, engraved monogram “HV”
Dimensions: L 5,7 cm x W 3,1 cm x H 0,9 cm
weight: 43.7 grams
Condition: Very good antique condition; light surface wear consistent with age, enamel well preserved with fine detail and bright colors
This case is a superb example of English silver craftsmanship, combining the practical elegance of a vesta case with the artistry of enamel miniature painting. It would make a fine addition to a collection of antique silver, sporting memorabilia, or enamel objects of vertu.
- Metal:
- Weight:43.7 g
- Dimensions:Height: 0.36 in (9 mm)Width: 1.23 in (31 mm)Length: 2.25 in (57 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1901
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Rotterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1630226758312
About the Seller
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