Antique Art Nouveau American Indian and Hunting Dog Decorated Match Safe Vesta
Description: Antique pocket match safe, matchsafe, or Vesta. This beautiful match safe has a raised design with an Art Nouveau image of an American Indian head on one side and a hunting dog with a whip in the background on the opposite side. The top and bottom are of chromed metal. The images, which are raised designs are on metal plaques which are attached to the body of the box with four prongs each. The match safe has a hinged lid on top and has the usual striker for the matches on the bottom. The lid hinge works well and snaps in place when closing it, as it should. This nice size match safe is clean and in good condition. The match safe is marked "PAT. APP. FOR" on the edge. A nice looking match safe worthy of a spot in your collection. Pleases carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain, but sometime between mid to late 1800s (mid to late 19th century).
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: Measures ~2 3/8" by ~1 3/8" by ~3/8" and weighs about 1.2 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Marked "PAT. APP. FOR" along the inside lip on which the lid rests. See last photo for details.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: An interesting antique match safe. It would make a great addition to your small box collection, matchsafe, tobacco/smoking related collection, American Indian, or hunting related collection.
Condition: The match safe is in very good used condition with no problems after being around for as long as 150 years. The hinged lid works well and closes as it should. The match safe has no breaks, no losses, and no repairs. The vesta has surface scratches, rubbing, and some minor dings. The chrome finish is lost in a few spots but the losses are rather minor and mostly on the edge of the lid opposite the hinge. There is also some pitting of the chrome finish on the sides. The panels with the designs have lost some of the dark finish surrounding the design but this truly gives the piece a nice character. A very nice piece worthy of a spot in your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
