matchbox holder (Vesta case) - France
this is a silver matchbox holder (Vesta case) made in France at the end of 19th century/ beginning of 20th
century, embossed with floral motif in the typical Art Nouveau style.These pocket-sized cases for carrying matches took their name from 'Vesta', the deity that presided over the domestic focus (hearth) in Ancient Rome.
She was the only goddess of the Roman pantheon who remained unformed and Her only contour emanated from Her residence at Rome which housed Vesta’s symbolic flame.
A 'match' was the modern representation of Vesta's symbolic flame and was known as a 'vesta' up until the twentieth century when 'match' became the favoured term.
Vesta cases were in great use between the 1860's and 1940', but the invention of the pocket petrol lighter initiated a decline in the use of these items.
This matchbox holder is 1 3/4 in. long (cm. 4,5) and was bought from a French dealer at an Antique Market in Paris.
This item is not for sale, but most of my pieces were bought through the Internet. On the right bar of this page there are some links to silver and antique dealers websites
This is a page of Silvercollection.eu "A Small Collection of
Antique Silver and Objects of vertu",
a 1000 pages widely illustrated website offering all you wish to know about
antique silver, sterling silver, silverplate, sheffield plate, electroplate silver,
silverware, flatware, tea services and tea complements, marks and hallmarks, articles,
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