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An Extremely Rare Sampson Morden Novelty Silver Vesta
Sold by Jeff Sims Antiques
sold SA1151874
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2010
Browse dealers 150 items
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    Specialists in antique silver, glassware and objects of vertu
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Id #SA1151874
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An Extremely Rare Sampson Morden Novelty Silver Vesta

19th century
Sold 23 January 2026 · Jeff Sims Antiques
This “Extremely Rare Sampson Morden Novelty Silver Vesta” found a buyer.

It was listed by Jeff Sims Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Novelty Vesta CaseVintage Vesta Case Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

A rare Victorian novelty silver vesta, by the great Sampson Morden & Co. The body is of rounded rectangular shape and has an engraved scene to the front, featuring a boy seated on a wall, near a sign marked 'Trespassers beware'. The reverse is engraved with flowers and leaves and a central cartouche, with the name Stanley. There is a striker to the base and the sprung lid at the top has an attaching ring for fob chain or chatelaine. A collectable and sought after example. Dimensions below.

Postage and packing £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£22.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent, with no dents or splits. The lid closes well and the hinge is strong.

Hallmarks :- Clear and readable. Partial loss to Maker's mark.

Date :- Birmingham 1882.

Length :- 4.2 cms.

Width :- 3 cms.

Depth :- 0.7 cms.

Physical Dimensions
Height
4cm (1.57")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Declaration

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Silver Vesta Case to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1151874
Dealers Internal Reference
K1681
Dealers Notes

Payment by BANK TRANSFER (preferred),DEBIT/CREDIT CARD, PAYPAL, STRIPE or UK cheque please. Great care is taken with packing and only 'signed for' postal options are used, where available. In the UK, Royal Mail Special Delivery is used, which is both fully insured against loss or damage and guaranteed next day (excluding weekends). If an item goes missing, or is damaged in the post, all available assistance will be offered to make a claim against the provider. Loss or damage in transit, is NOT the responsibility of the seller.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE. Due to the imposition by the US Government of a 10% tariff - after making payment for purchase, an invoice will be sent to all US customers prior to dispatch for the required amount, as items cannot be sent to the USA without the tax being prepaid. Alternatively, the tax amount will be added to postage. If this additional charge is not acceptable, please do not proceed with the purchase.

Returns are accepted if the item has undisclosed damage at point of sale, or has been seriously mis-described. Buyer pays all costs. If you are not certain that you will be completely happy with the item, please do not purchase it.

PLEASE CONTACT ME TO PROVIDE CARD DETAILS OR REQUEST BANK DETAILS. PLEASE ADD POSTAGE FOR PAYPAL/STRIPE AND PRESS PAYPAL/STRIPE OPTION. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR POSTAGE COSTS or with any further questions. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask. We would like your experience with us to be a happy one and will always try to be accommodating.

Thank you for looking.

Description
A rare Victorian novelty silver vesta, by the great Sampson Morden & Co.
“
The body is of rounded rectangular shape and has an engraved scene to the front, featuring a boy seated on a wall, near a sign marked 'Trespassers beware'.
Jeff Sims Antiques

The reverse is engraved with flowers and leaves and a central cartouche, with the name Stanley. There is a striker to the base and the sprung lid at the top has an attaching ring for fob chain or chatelaine. A collectable and sought after example. Dimensions below.

fig 1. An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware.
fig 1. An Extremely Rare Sampson Morden Novelty Silver Vesta

Postage and packing £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£22.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent, with no dents or splits. The lid closes well and the hinge is strong.

Hallmarks :- Clear and readable. Partial loss to Maker's mark.

Date :- Birmingham 1882.

Length :- 4.2 cms.

Width :- 3 cms.

Depth :- 0.7 cms.

Height
4cm (1.57")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Date of Manufacture

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Silver Vesta Case to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1151874
Dealers Internal Ref
K1681
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2010

Specialists in antique silver, glassware and objects of vertu

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jeff Sims Antiques Profile Page

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An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 8
Archive I An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

An Extremely Rare Sampson Morden Novelty Silver Vesta

Archive II An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View II
Archive III An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View III
Archive IV An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View IV
Archive V An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View V
Archive VI An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View VI
Archive VII An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View VII
Archive VIII An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware. View VIII
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Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques
Telephone 07711 373 683
Location
Suffolk,
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified Since Jan 2010
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 4,487
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk,, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified
Jan 2010
For Sale
150
Sold
4,487
An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware.
An extremely rare Sampson Morden novelty silver vesta
Ref: SA1151874
An upright rectangular sterling silver vesta case featuring an engraved scene of a figure climbing over a brick wall with a sign reading Trespassers Beware.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVesta Cases
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian & Gothic
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsPictorial engraving, Striated base, Hinged lid, Suspension loop
  • SizeH 4 cm (2 in) x W 3 cm (1 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

FAQs

Vesta cases became widely popular during the mid-19th century with the invention of friction matches, serving as portable containers to keep matches dry and safe. Novelty designs, often crafted by renowned makers like Sampson Morden, reflected Victorian wit, popular culture, and whimsical storytelling.

These pieces were typically crafted from sterling silver using techniques such as stamping, hand-engraving, repousse, and occasionally enamel work. They featured integrated hinge mechanisms, secure snap closures, and a striated striking base at the bottom for lighting matches.

Authentication relies on examining the hallmarks stamped on the metal, which indicate the assay office, date letter, silver standard, and makers mark (such as SM for Sampson Morden). Genuine period pieces also exhibit appropriate age-related wear, hand-cut engraving details, and period-correct mechanical construction.

These small objects make exceptional display pieces when arranged on a mantelpiece, styled inside a glass-fronted cabinet, or placed on a desk as a paperweight. Their intricate details add a layer of historical curiosity and curated elegance to contemporary spaces.

Preservation requires storing silver in a dry environment and cleaning it infrequently with a non-abrasive, high-quality silver cloth to remove tarnish without damaging fine engraved details. Avoid using harsh chemical dips, which can strip the desirable patination accumulated over decades.
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