What is a Vesta Case?
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Vesta cases, also known as match safes, are small boxes that are used to carry matches and keep them safe from the elements. Vesta cases are often intricately crafted and considered small works of art, which why these match cases are very popular with collectors of antiques.
In the early 1800's, it was common to carry matches, since some type of portable fire was needed to light lanterns and stoves. The matches of that day were crude compared to today's standards, and were known to light when making contact with each other, and sometimes even spontaneously. In order to alleviate this potentially hazardous situation, it made good sense to utilize a vesta case or match safe.
One of the more interesting features of the vesta case or match safes is that they almost always include some type of rough or ribbed surface, usually on the bottom of the case that is used for striking the matches.
Match safes, or vesta cases can been found in countless different styles, materials and shapes. Metals used for making vesta cases range from tin, brass and silver to the more expensive precious metals like gold. Vesta cases can also be found in natural materials including bone, wood and ivory. While the most common size of the vesta case is small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket, larger cases were also made for home use. These larger cases or safes were commonly placed in areas where fires were often lit, for example, near wood burning stoves or fireplaces.
Vesta cases can still be found and purchased today for either personal use or to include in a collection. For a visual example of vesta cases, here is a small sampling of some of the vesta cases and match safes that can be found eBay, an online auction website:
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RARE Antique Austria Hungarian Niello 800 Silver Snuff Box Vesta Case | $57.00 |
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Very rare Edward VII bust VESTA CASE Birmingham 1887 | $1,738.09 |
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Rare Haslers patented brass cigar cutter spring triggered match safe c 1855 | $225.00 |
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Rare celluloid vesta case Holzapfels Newcastle on Tyne | $145.91 |
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Marked Vesta Case Mint RARE Lime and white enamel | $73.02 |
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VERY RARE 19e CENTURY FRENCH SILVER VESTA CASE WITH KIND OF DRAGON | $125.00 |
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1933 RARE FH ADAMS SOLID SILVER MATCHBOOK VESTA CASE | $8.24 |
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Rare Hall Red Poppy Match Safe | $51.99 |
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RARE ANTIQUE VESTA OR MATCH SAFE ADVERTISING COVER COLONEL MESH GOLF BALL | $399.99 |
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RARE ANTIQUE GOLF MATCH SAFE VESTA CASE UNGER BROTHERS STERLING SILVER GOLFER | $599.99 |
Vesta Case / Match Safe Resources
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Links to useful information for anyone interested in Vesta Cases / Match Safes.
A great article with photos by Soodie about Match Safes
The International Match Safe Association and Museum
Mr. Vesta - Founding member of the International Match Safe Association and Museum
Vesta Case Buying Tips at Daniel Bexfield Antiques
Neil Shapiro's Match Safe Scholar Site an awesome resource for Match Safe collectors. Mr. Shapiro has detailed articles, a recommended reading list, and he even offers appraisals.
Bonham's Vesta Case auctions.
Art Deco Vesta Cases
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Art Deco vesta cases for sale from dealers and individuals from around the world. Clicking on the links below will open a detailed description of the Art Deco vesta cases for sale in a new window on eBay.
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ART DECO MATCH SAFE BEAUTIFUL GORHAM 1863 1890S 411 | $98.00 |
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MATCH SAFE ART DECO GREY BLUE ENAMEL PAT PENDUNIQUE OPENING | $85.00 |
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Vint DECO Tiffany Co sterling match safe compact box | $174.89 |
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RUSSIAN ART DECO SOLID SILVER GOLD MONOGRAM VESTA CASE | $139.00 |
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FUN DEMLEY OLD SNIFTER FIGURAL DECO BOTTLE OPENER MATCHSAFE | $45.00 |
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ANTIQUE ART DECO SOLID SILVER HAND ENGRAVED VESTA CASE CHESTER 1906 72 | $114.29 |
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Vintage 30s Match Safe Art Deco Nickel Silver with Watch Chain signed EAM Elgin | $95.00 |
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Ornate Art Deco ELGIN AMERICAN Sterling Silver Cigarette Vesta Case 119 Grams | $268.00 |
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Vintage Art Deco Decorative Vesta Case | $11.10 |
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1930s art deco silver match or vesta case 50 38 12 mm made in germany | $52.96 |
Russian Vesta Cases
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Russian vesta cases for sale from dealers and individuals from around the world. Clicking on the links below will open a detailed description of the Russian vesta cases for sale in a new window on eBay.
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1860s ORIGINAL IVAN KHLEBNIKOV ANTIQUE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN 84 SILVER VESTA CASE | $1,399.00 |
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Russia SILVER VESTA case very good condition all orig | $300.00 |
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Antique 19th C silver Russian cigarette casevesta case set in original box | $2,500.00 |
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RUSSIAN ART DECO SOLID SILVER GOLD MONOGRAM VESTA CASE | $139.00 |
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ANTIQ RUSSIAN SILVER 84 CIGARETTE VESTA CASE BOX MATCH | $899.00 |
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Silver Cigarette Match Safe Vesta Case Russia Ca 1870 | $1,150.00 |
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Silver Cigarette Vesta Case Moicye Ivanov Russia 1878 | $1,250.00 |
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RUSSIAN STERLING SILVER 84 VESTA CASE SNUFF BOX NIELLO | $899.99 |
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GUSTAV KLINGERT RUSSIAN SILVER NIELLO ENAMEL MATCH SAFE | $490.00 |
Enamel Vesta Cases
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Enamel vesta cases for sale from dealers and individuals from around the world. Clicking on the links below will open a detailed description of the enamel vesta cases for sale in a new window on eBay.
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 Austrian Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case Antique $2,214.28 End Date: Tuesday Feb-21-2012 7:18:00 PST Buy It Now for only: $2,214.28 |
 Antique French Silver and Erotic Enamel Vesta Case Antique Circa 1880 $2,214.28 End Date: Saturday Mar-3-2012 5:14:12 PST Buy It Now for only: $2,214.28 |
 Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Vesta Case Antique Circa 1910 $1,579.36 End Date: Wednesday Feb-22-2012 6:56:00 PST Buy It Now for only: $1,579.36 |
 RARE SILVER ENAMEL VESTA Matchsafe by GAS KOLOMAN MOSER HOFFMAN w SHAMROCKS $1,445.00 End Date: Monday Feb-13-2012 15:35:07 PST Buy It Now for only: $1,445.00 |
 STUNNING RARE MOSS AGATE CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL VESTA CASE $992.06 End Date: Friday Feb-17-2012 2:35:05 PST Buy It Now for only: $992.06 |
 FAB ANTIQUE ENAMEL VESTA MATCHSAFE COLUMBINA c1890 $595.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-18-2012 4:58:24 PST Buy It Now for only: $595.00 |
 Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case Victorian $595.24 End Date: Monday Feb-20-2012 7:15:38 PST Buy It Now for only: $595.24 |
 ART DECO SOLID SILVER GUILLOCHE DOUBLE SIDED ENAMEL VESTA CASE H MARK1929 $547.62 End Date: Tuesday Mar-6-2012 11:06:58 PST Buy It Now for only: $547.62 |
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GUSTAV KLINGERT RUSSIAN SILVER NIELLO ENAMEL MATCH SAFE $490.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-6-2012 21:17:57 PST Buy It Now for only: $490.00 |
 UNUSUAL ANTIQUE ENAMEL EROTIC MATCHSAFE VESTA c1900 $340.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-14-2012 2:41:33 PST Buy It Now for only: $340.00 |