Vintage Brass Vesta Case in the form of a Violin, circa 1900
Starting Bid: | £20.00 |
Bid Increment: | £2.00 |
Next Min Bid: | £22.00 |
Buyer’s Premium: | £4.80 |
Total Amount: | £24.80 |
Number of Bids: | 0 |
Location: | United Kingdom |
Highest Bidder: | |
Auction Start: | 02/11/24 10:16:00 UTC |
Auction Ending: | 16/11/24 20:44:00 UTC |
Time Remaining: | 9d 17h 17m |
LOT NUMBER 23
Vintage Brass Vesta Case in the form of a Violin, circa 1900
A Brass Vesta, or Match, case in the form of a Violin with an opening cover to the bottom and a fabric covered bar inside. Vesta was the Roman Goddess of the hearth, home and family and altars and temples dedicated to her commonly employed a live flame, which caused some manufacturers of matches in the nineteenth century to name their products 'Vestas', the most famous being the Swan Vesta match produced from around 1900. Early matches were highly combustible and cases to keep them safe were produced from around 1830 onwards. The peak of popularity of the 'Vesta Case' was around 1900 and their use declined in the 1920s when the first cigarette lighters were produced. The cases were made in a variety of forms and materials, even gold and silver. This example is brass and probably from around 1900. The surface of the cover is ribbed in order for a match to be struck against it but he function of the interior covered bar is less clear. The case is fitted with a ring, presumably to allow it to be attached to a watch chain. Practical in their time, Vesta Cases are collectible now and the rarer shapes much sought after.Size: | na |
Weight: | na |
Date: | 1900 |
Condition: | Good condition, no issues |
Estimate: | £40 – 60 |