HENRY MATTHEWS 1910 Birmingham Enameled Car-Motif Vesta Case In .925 Sterling
A sterling vesta matches box by George Wilkinson
This is a very rare antique vesta box for matches created in Birmingham England at the silversmith atelier of Henry Matthews. This unusual box for matches has been hand crafted in a cushion shape in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with polished finish. Embellished with an enameled panel showing an antique car. The box is very elegant and is fitted with a hidden concealed compartment for the matches and a grooved element for scraping the matches. It was made with excellent craftsmanship as you expect from this Birmingham silversmith and in great condition with no dents or restorations. The vesta box was recently cleaned and polished and is in perfect condition. A great addition for any collector of vesta cases or automobilia.
Henry Matthews
He was a Birmingham based silversmith active between 1894 and 1930. His first mark was registered in 1894. His office was on Vittoria Street, Birmingham - a street that is famous for being part of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Matthews is particularly remembered for his small silver items that required great attention to detail. Examples of those items are hairbrushes, cigarette cases, vesta cases, pictures frames, hat pins, card cases and buttons amongst other items. In 1930, Henry Matthews stopped production marking the end of an era for the renowned silversmith.
Vesta boxes
Vesta cases are small portable boxes made to contain matches and keep them dry. They take their name from the Roman goddess of fire and the hearth, although in the United States they are more prosaically know as match safes. The first successful friction match appeared in 1826, and in 1832 William Newton patented the "wax vesta" in England. It consisted of a wax stem with embedded cotton threads and a tip of phosphorus. Antique Vesta Cases were made popular in Victorian times where they were worn on a chatelaine belt or men's fob to contain wax matches. They're usually solid sterling silver, and on the rare occasion, solid gold. Quite often engraved with the owner's initials.
Country: Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Maker: Henry Matthews Ltd.
Period: Edwardian, 1910.
Materials: Polished .925 Sterling silver and hard glass enamel.
Weight: 31.70 Grams, (20.35 Dwt).
Measurements: H. 45 mm by L. 51 mm by D. 11 mm (1.77 x 2.01 x 0.44 Inches).
Hallmarks Stamped in all parts three times with British marks as follows, the lion passant for England, the anchor for the city of Birmingham, the maker's mark H.M. associated to Henry Matthews and the letter code L for the date 1910.
Condition: The overall condition of this vesta matches box by Henry Matthews is excellent. Beside the little normal wear there is no damage to the silver or enamel. All parts are secured in the settings. This box was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D040226MSNM/.9398
