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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 Seltenes viktorianisches limettengrünes Glas silbermontiert gerippt Streichholzschlag Chester 1897 EUR 491,55 |
 SEHR SELTENES MASSIVES SILBER VESTA ETUI STREICHHOLZSTÜRMER ANTIK 1883 VIKTORIANISCH NEUHEIT EUR 1.387,90 |
 Seltene antike Sterling Silber Emaille Jagdszene Vesta Etui Schatulle London 1901 EUR 117,97 |
 HERVORRAGEND SELTEN ANTIK STERLINGSILBER FASSFORM VESTA ETUI LONDON 1879 EUR 254,45 |
 Seltene viktorianische Messing Kombination Vesta Etui Streichholz Halter & Pfeife EUR 68,82 |
 Seltenes antikes Sterling Silber Vesta Etui & Wachshalter Kombi London 1902 EUR 311,12 |
 SELTENE GROSSE VIKTORIANISCHE STERLINGSILBER KOMBI PFEIFE VESTA ETUI 1884 ANTIK EUR 491,55 |
 Seltene antike Neuheit Taschenuhr geformt Vesta Gehäuse Streichholz Safe Halter Streichholz EUR 82,61 |
 Seltenes massives Silber Vesta Etui mit zwei Fächern von Thomas & Marshall 1906 EUR 172,04 |
 Antik Sterling Silber seltenes Klapp Vesta Etui von Philip Morris gepunzt 1919 EUR 225,53 |