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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 CUSTODIA VESTA MATCHSAFE decorata in argento sterling Art Nouveau rara fiammiferi nascosti EUR 256,67 |
 Rare 1894 Vesta Case Match Safe Silver Enamel Mr Jorrocks Grocer Fox Hunter EUR 1.550,07 |
 Rare antique Brass Frog table match striker holder vesta matchsafe EUR 103,34 |
 Antica custodia GORHAM in argento sterling Matchsafe Vesta forma RARA EUR 310,49 |
 Valigia Vesta argento massiccio super rara novit in perfette condizioni cos rara EUR 25,26 |
 Rara custodia Vesta argento sterling lastra porta fiammiferi Lindsay Paisley 1925 EUR 197,49 |
 Match safe scarabeo figurativo o scarabeo sterling di Wallace Sons 1900 circa RARO EUR 589,58 |
 Rare Antique Brass Japanese Owl Vesta Case Match Safe EUR 109,62 |
 Rara scatola portapillole antica scozzese argento massiccio georgiana Snuff Canister Vesta EUR 373,17 |
 RARISSIMO TEATRO ADELPHI argento sterling vesta fiammifero mezza estate notte sogno EUR 292,79 |