Antique English Sterling Silver Small Match Safe Vesta Engraved Foliate Design
Description: Antique and small pocket match safe, matchsafe or vesta made of sterling silver. This match safe has an engraved design depicting a foliate arrangement in triangles. The design shows considerable wear and is hard to discern, but is there. The match safe has a hinged lid and a loop on the side to hang from. The matchsafe has a striker for the matches on the bottom, which is deep and has dots in the center and hatching along the sides. The lid hinge works well and closes tight and the lid has a small thumb or finger piece to open it. The match safe is intact but the design has considerable wear suggesting that it was used extensively. The surface also has some scratches, but miraculously it has a minimum number of small dings to the surface. The vesta is marked on one of the edges on which the lid rests and shows the letter f within a shield, a Lion Passant, an anchor and the maker's mark R.Bs. These were very difficult to photograph but are there. These marks suggest the match safe was made in 1905 in Birmingham England by a silver smith with the mark R.Bs with which we are unfamiliar. All in all, a dainty antique small matchsafe to add to your collection. Pleases carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: The marks on the piece suggest 1905.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The piece was made in Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
Size: Measures ~1 3/8" by ~1" and it is ~1/4" in thickness. The vesta weighs ~11.2 grams of 0.925 silver.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Marked the letter f within a shield, a Lion Passant, an anchor and the maker's mark R.Bs (whom we are not familiar with) on the edge where the lid rests.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: A nice antique match safe. It would make a good addition to your small box collection, matchsafe, or tobacco/smoking related collection.
Condition: The match safe is sterling silver and is in good clean condition. The hinged lid works great and closes tightly as it should. The matchsafe has no breaks or repairs. The vesta's design has considerable wear suggesting that it was used extensively. The surface also has some scratches, but miraculously it has a minimum number of small dings to the surface. It also has some soiling and general wear to the exterior commensurate with its age and utilitarian function. A nice piece to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
