Search 0
59,667  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 200 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTSNEW
200 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1120134
FOR SALE
£195
Email Phone Buy
Save
Vintage Mermaid Repousse Sterling Silver Vesta Match Case
For sale by Lancastrian Jewellers
for sale €228     $248
£195
Lancastrian Jewellers

Lancastrian Jewellers

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2022
Browse dealers 190 items
  • About Us
    We are a third generation jewellers in the north of england, UK. Specialising in quality antique, vintage and fine jewellery
Relevant Links
Id #SA1120134
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Vintage Mermaid Repousse Sterling Silver Vesta Match Case

19th century
Description

This pretty Vintage Mermaid Vesta case is truly remarkable! Crafted from sterling silver with a hallmark of 925 on the inside of the lid. The box features an unusual repousse mermaid on the front, and the box is completed with a large jump ring on the side, allowing you to attach it to a chain.

Vesta cases are small portable boxes that were used to keep matches dry. They were made from precious and non-precious metals. The purpose of the Vesta case is also to prevent the matches from igniting. Usually, the base of the vesta case has a serrated edge, known as the striker, which this piece does. Vesta cases were part of the essential 'dress code' of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, making these now highly collectable items.

METAL

Sterling Silver

MEASUREMENTS

Measures 6cm x 3.5cm

WEIGHT

25.3 grams

HALLMARKS

925

CONDITION

This silver Vesta case remains in very good condition. The box lid shuts firmly and has a hallmark for 925 on the inside. The embossed figure of the mermaid remains in good condition with just some light wear, and the body is smooth, free from scratches and dents, with just some light patina. This highly collectable item would be a great addition to anyone's collection.

Item number - 7508

Declaration

Lancastrian Jewellers has dated this Sterling Silver Vesta Case to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1120134
Dealers Internal Reference
7508
Description
This pretty Vintage Mermaid Vesta case is truly remarkable! Crafted from sterling silver with a hallmark of 925 on the inside of the lid.
“
The box features an unusual repousse mermaid on the front, and the box is completed with a large jump ring on the side, allowing you to attach it to a chain.
Lancastrian Jewellers
fig 1. A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.
fig 1. Vintage Mermaid Repousse Sterling Silver Vesta Match Case

Vesta cases are small portable boxes that were used to keep matches dry. They were made from precious and non-precious metals. The purpose of the Vesta case is also to prevent the matches from igniting. Usually, the base of the vesta case has a serrated edge, known as the striker, which this piece does. Vesta cases were part of the essential 'dress code' of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, making these now highly collectable items.

fig 2. A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.
fig 2. Vintage Mermaid Repousse Sterling Silver Vesta Match Case

METAL

Sterling Silver

MEASUREMENTS

Measures 6cm x 3.5cm

WEIGHT

25.3 grams

HALLMARKS

925

CONDITION

This silver Vesta case remains in very good condition. The box lid shuts firmly and has a hallmark for 925 on the inside. The embossed figure of the mermaid remains in good condition with just some light wear, and the body is smooth, free from scratches and dents, with just some light patina. This highly collectable item would be a great addition to anyone's collection.

Item number - 7508

Date of Manufacture

Lancastrian Jewellers has dated this Sterling Silver Vesta Case to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1120134
Dealers Internal Ref
7508
Lancastrian Jewellers
Lancastrian Jewellers
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2022

We are a third generation jewellers in the north of england, UK. Specialising in quality antique, vintage and fine jewellery

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lancastrian Jewellers Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.
1 / 10
Archive I A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.

Vintage Mermaid Repousse Sterling Silver Vesta Match Case

Archive II A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View II
Archive III A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.
Archive V A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View V
Archive VI A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View VI
Archive VII A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View VII
Archive VIII A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View VIII
Archive IX A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View IX
Archive X A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand. View X
FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Enlarged Archival View
Lancastrian Jewellers

Lancastrian Jewellers
Telephone 07527 577305
Location
Dalton House
9 Dalton Square
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1WD
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/lancastrianjewellers
Verified Since Jun 2022
Items For Sale 190
Items Sold 177
Lancastrian Jewellers
Lancastrian Jewellers
Verified Since Jun 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Dalton House, 9 Dalton Square, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1WD, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/lancastrianjewellers
Verified
Jun 2022
For Sale
190
Sold
177
A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.
Vintage Mermaid Repousse Sterling Silver Vesta Match Case
Ref: SA1120134
A small rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an embossed repousse motif of a mermaid on water, held in a hand.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVesta Cases
  • Period19th century
  • StyleArt Nouveau
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsRepousse mermaid, Hinged lid, Side suspension ring

This nineteenth-century sterling silver vesta case belongs to the Art Nouveau style and has a silver colour with a polished finish. The rectangular box has a hinged lid, a serrated striker on the base, and a side suspension ring. The front has an embossed repousse decoration of a mermaid on water, and the interior of the lid has a 925 hallmark. The metal body has a light patina from age. The box measures 6 cm x 3.5 cm. In a home today, this piece sits on an office desk to hold small items or keep matches dry. It also works as a decorative display object on a shelf or tabletop.

FAQs

A vesta case, or match safe, is a small portable container produced primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries to keep friction matches dry and prevent accidental ignition in a pocket or purse.

Vesta cases were commonly crafted from sterling silver, nickel silver, brass, or vulcanite, frequently featuring hand-engraved details, repousse relief work, or enamelled panels.

Authentic silver vesta cases generally carry official silver hallmarks indicating metal purity, makers initials, and town marks, along with a textured striker plate built into the bottom edge.

A silver vesta case can be displayed on an office desk, arranged inside a glass tabletop curio cabinet, or framed within a shadow box display alongside other antique pocket objects.

Silver vesta cases should be wiped with a soft cotton polishing cloth and gentle silver cleaner, avoiding full immersion in liquid which could damage interior spring mechanisms.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories