In Roman mythology, Vesta was the goddess of hearth, home and family, and her presence was symbolised by the sacred fire that burned at her hearth and temples, inspiring several match companies to name their matches "vestas", the best known around 1900 being the "Swan Vestas" brand.

Vesta cases, also known as match safes were made to safely house a person's supply of matches, required because early matches were prone to combustion, either from the friction of rubbing together or spontaneous ignition.

Vesta cases came into use in the 1830s, but the peak period of their popularity was 1890 to 1920.

Most commonly they are silver, and rectangular in shape, with an end-opening spring-loaded close fitting lid at the top and a ribbed or serrated striking surface on the base.

Collectors seek out novelty shapes that include boots and shoes, bottles, snuff horns, animal heads, hearts, and more...

27 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Victorian brass 'William Gladstone' vesta brass vesta, in form…

William Gladstone Brass Vesta: Prime Minister Head Form Lid

Victorian brass 'William Gladstone' vesta brass vesta, in form of head of William Gladstone, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1868-1894, lidded to base, height 6 cm

Vintage decorated enamel brass vesta case decorated to lid with…

Nude Woman in Forest Enamel Brass Vesta Case Vintage

Vintage decorated enamel brass vesta case decorated to lid with enamel image of a nude woman in a forest, height 4 cm

Vintage brass 'Baby' form vesta case standing brass 'Baby'…

Vintage Brass Baby Form Vesta Case and Striker, 5.5cm Height

Vintage brass 'Baby' form vesta case standing brass 'Baby' infant form, with striker to base, height 5.5 cm

Vintage brass 'Capstan' vesta case brass 2 piece vesta case,…

Vintage Brass 'Capstan' Vesta Case with Striker, 3.5cm Height

Vintage brass 'Capstan' vesta case brass 2 piece vesta case, inscribed 'Capstan Tobacco/Cigarettes' to lid, striker to base, height 3.5 cm

Two various vintage brass vesta cases including: lidded box…

Vintage Brass Vesta Cases: Lidded Box and Tubular Forms

Two various vintage brass vesta cases including: lidded box form, with spring loaded lid, width 4 cm and tubular form, height 6.5 cm

Antique French brass vesta marked ND (Notre Dame) with crown, 4…

Antique French Brass Vesta with Notre Dame Marking and Crown

Antique French brass vesta marked ND (Notre Dame) with crown, 4 cm height

Victorian brass shaped vesta case length 6.5 cm.

Victorian Brass Vesta Case - 6.5 cm Length

Victorian brass shaped vesta case length 6.5 cm.

Vesta case, an early brass vesa case in the shape of a cat's…

Brass Cat Vesta Case with Bow

Vesta case, an early brass vesa case in the shape of a cat's head wearing a bow

Antique English figural brass vesta depicting Prime Minister -…

Antique Brass Gladstone Vesta, Circa 1880

Antique English figural brass vesta depicting Prime Minister - Gladstone, circa 1880, height 6 cm

Edwardian vesta case, in brass, unusual depicting a sailor and…

Brass Sailor Vesta Case with Life Buoy

Edwardian vesta case, in brass, unusual depicting a sailor and life buoy

A collection of seven novelty vesta cases, one brass from…

Collection of Novelty Vesta Cases

A collection of seven novelty vesta cases, one brass from Ballarat, one tooth with silver lid stamped 'T. T. Jones & Son Sydney', one sterling silver stamped 'C & G Stg Silver', one in the form of a woman's leg with shoe, two silver cylindrical, one with…

Two antique novelty vesta cases includes a brass slipper and a…

Antique Vesta Cases: Slipper and Wellington Boot

Two antique novelty vesta cases includes a brass slipper and a metal Wellington boot.

Art deco brass vesta case in the form of a cartoon character

Cartoon Character Vesta: Art Deco Brass Case

Art deco brass vesta case in the form of a cartoon character

Brass folding vesta case with 'Harry Hall Taylors Oxford St'…

Harry Hall Taylors Oxford St Brass Vesta Case

Brass folding vesta case with 'Harry Hall Taylors Oxford St' advertising

Victorian brass vesta case with sovereign and stamp case

Victorian Brass Vesta with Sovereign and Stamp Case

Victorian brass vesta case with sovereign and stamp case

Brass Oriental design vesta

Oriental Brass Vesta

Brass Oriental design vesta

Brass vesta lighter box

Brass Vesta Lighter Case

Brass vesta lighter box

Two brass vesta boxes, early 20th century Commen Flip top &…

Brass Vesta Boxes from Ken Cavill Collection

Two brass vesta boxes, early 20th century Commen Flip top & bottom book shaped, (2) for Coronation of Edward VII UK and cylindrical Marbles patent, 'Waterproof' box, Gladstone, Michigan USA. Provenance: Ken Cavill collection

Rare antique brass and tortoiseshell vesta in the shape of a…

Antique Brass Turtle Vesta with Tortoiseshell Design

Rare antique brass and tortoiseshell vesta in the shape of a green sea turtle, 6 cm long approx

Stirling silver vesta box, plain with compass (brass) inset. By…

William Gibson & John Langman Silver Vesta Box

Stirling silver vesta box, plain with compass (brass) inset. By William Gibson & John Langman, London 1894 (marks rubbed)

Three, three - piece tin - plate boxes by Whitehead & Borg,…

Whitehead & Borg Tin-Plate Boxes with Printed Celluloid Covers

Three, three - piece tin - plate boxes by Whitehead & Borg, Newark, N.J. (3) the first is a plain vesta box with with plated brass top and bottom (striker), second has applied printed celluloid cover advertising 'Molassine' food for animals, London and…

Four antique tin-plate vesta boxes, (4). Three antique…

Antique Vesta Boxes Collection

Four antique tin-plate vesta boxes, (4). Three antique tin-plate vesta boxes, (4) Tops stamped: R.bell. Co. Wax Vestas, London : Bryant & May's 55 wax Vestas London : Welcome Smoke nugget, (all2 x h 4 cm) A fourth in brass (h.3.2 cm) stamped 'Capstan…

Stylish 'Art Deco' silver plate vesta box, (2). Stylish 'Art…

Art Deco Silver Plate Vesta Boxes (Set of 2)

Stylish 'Art Deco' silver plate vesta box, (2). Stylish 'Art Deco' silver plate vesta box, (2) Grooved Striker as base marked 'Saillard Aine, Besancon, France, Early 20th century. a Silver Plate on Brass 'Lady's Boot' box (l. 8 cm) Striker on heel,…

Novelty 'Deer Leg' vesta box, (3). Novelty 'Deer Leg' vesta box,…

3 Antique Vesta Boxes: Deer Leg, Fox Hunt, Punt

Novelty 'Deer Leg' vesta box, (3). Novelty 'Deer Leg' vesta box, (3) hinged lid/ striker on hoof, marked G Goliasch & Co Berlin, late 19th century. Heavy oval brass vesta box (l. 7.5 cm) hinged lid / striker on base applied cast copper figures of 'Fox…

Chinese cloisonne lidded box and two Japanese brass vesta boxes…

Cloisonne & Brass Boxes: Chinese & Japanese, C1900

Chinese cloisonne lidded box and two Japanese brass vesta boxes with embossed decoration, C1900. (3)

Large travelling vesta box, nickel plate on brass two…

Antique English Vesta Box with Dual Compartments

Large travelling vesta box, nickel plate on brass two compartments / hinged striking plate. Rectangular (5 x 6 x 3 cm) rounded corners & button opening, probably England, early 20th century

Brass vesta case form Champagne bottle stamped Veuve Cliquot 6.…

Veuve Cliquot Brass Vesta Case from Champagne Bottle

Brass vesta case form Champagne bottle stamped Veuve Cliquot 6.25 cm height