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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 RARO ESTUCHE VESTA ESTERLINA ESMALTE INGLÉS CAJA FUERTE WILLIAM J. HOLMES 1905 USADO EUR 157,58 |
 EXCELENTE ESTUCHE VESTA ANTIGUO RARO PLATA ESTERLINA FORMA BARRIL LONDRES 1879 EUR 257,52 |
 RARO ESTUCHE VESTA MUJER PESCADORA DESNUDA CAJA FUERTE PRECIOSO NÍTIDO EXCELENTE POCO USO EUR 257,84 |
 RARO GILBERT? ESTUCHE VESTA FIGURA ESTERLINA DRAGÓN PARTIDO CAJA FUERTE C. 1905 EUR 345,25 |
 57 g RARO AUTÉNTICO ANTIGUO GRANDE COMPARTIMENTO CURVADO PLATA BOLSILLO VESTA ESTUCHE EUR 169,73 |
 FUNDA VESTA MATCHSAFE Art Nouveau plata esterlina ornamentada rara huelga oculta EUR 216,76 |
 Raro Veata Match Safe APERTURA SECRETA Plata de Ley hm 1897 Frederick Stone EUR 231,76 |
 Estuche Vesta de latón raro coleccionable para bebé soporte seguro a juego EUR 134,55 |
 RARO ESTUCHE VESTA CABEZA MUERTA PLATA ESTERLINA ANTIGUO SELLO BIRMINGHAM 1865 EUR 316,04 |
 MUY BONITO ESTUCHE VESTA PLATA ESTERLINA ANTIGUO DISEÑO RARO LONDRES 1871 EUR 257,52 |