Five vesta cases on thesaleroom.com including a Liberty silver match safe designed by Archibald Knox

Although they started out as simple functional items to keep matches dry, their production became more and more elaborate as they became part of the essential 'dress code' of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

As time went on, vesta cases began to become ‘novelty’ items, reflecting the status, wealth and personality of their owner.

Now a highly collectable area of the antiques market, there is a huge variety of vesta cases regularly listed on thesaleroom.com with estimates across a range of prices to suit all budgets.

Here is a selection of five upcoming lots, but many more vesta cases are also available to view and buy here.

1. Archibald Knox vesta case

London department store Liberty's range of jewellery and silver sold under the trade name of 'Cymric' was launched in 1899. Until 1926, these items were manufactured in association with WH Haseler of Birmingham.

This Liberty & Co. Cymric silver and enamel vesta case, pictured above and below, was designed by Archibald Knox, the store’s versatile primary designer.

A Liberty & Co Cymric silver and enamel vesta case, designed by Archibald Knox. It is estimated at £300-400 at Peter Wilson of Nantwich, Cheshire.

Measuring just 2in (5cm) in length, it is hallmarked for 1905.

It will be offered at Peter Wilson’s auction in Nantwich, Cheshire on November 20-21 with an estimate of £300-400.

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2. Sporting-themed vesta case

Themed vesta cases were a popular choice in the late Victorian period and remain highly collectable today.

This silver example from 1896 is chased with a racing scene showing two horses running towards the finishing post within a landscape.

The maker's mark is rubbed but it could possibly be the mark of Saunders and Shepherd, a longstanding firm that dates back to 1869.

It will be offered at Tennants of Leyburn, North Yorkshire on November 6. The estimate is £200-300.

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3. Gold vesta case

A 9ct gold vesta case from 1908, estimated at £120-150 at Busby.

Vesta cases were not just made from silver. They were often fashioned from other precious materials such as gold or enamel.

This 9ct gold vesta case of slender cushion form with engine-turned decoration is marked for London 1908. It is estimated at £120-150 at the auction at Busby of Bridport, Dorset on November 21.

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4. Victorian cigarette case

A silver cigarette case by George Unite & Sons (left), offered with silver vesta case by W H Haseler Ltd (right). Together they are estimated at £30-50 at Busby.

Closely related to vesta cases, Victorian silver cigarette cases such as this example made in 1891 by George Unite & Sons of London are also a popular collecting area.

It comes with a silver vesta case from 1911 by W H Haseler Ltd of Birmingham and will appear at the Busby auction taking place at Bridport, Dorset on November 21.

Offered as a single lot, the estimate is £30-50.

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5. Risqué vesta case

Continental silver and enamel vesta case marked for 1902, estimated at £700-800 at The Pedestal.

This silver and enamel Continental example demonstrates the sometimes risqué subject matter that featured on Edwardian gentlemen’s vesta cases.

Painted to the front with two nudes disrobing by a wooded lake, it carries import marks for Joseph Abraham of London, 1902.

It is estimated at £700-800 at The Pedestal’s sale in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire on November 19.

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Further info

For more on vesta cases read the collecting guide on the Antiques Trade Gazette website here.