The match safe was a small little box, of sorts, with a snug hinged lid. It was a popular item for men nearly 100 years. It contained matches reachable at any moment to light up a smoke. Men no longer had to search for a light as they would have one tucked into a pocket. Sometimes they would attach it by a chain to a waistcoat. One pocket might hold a watch and, the other, a match safe.
An American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Match Safe with a repoussé design of sinuous scrolls and flourishes with an engraved center. Antiques & Old World Charms.The friction match was invented around 1820s. Matches were an important technical advancement of the time. At first they produced an unsteady flame accompanied by an unpleasant odor. They could also spontaneously catch fire. The sulfur tip needed only slight friction to ignite and could explode in a pocket if unprotected. (Talk about hot pants!) However, these issues didn’t deter the popularity of smoking, and in fact the invention of the match even increased the habit. Later, the sulfurous odor was diminished by adding white phosphorus -- a dangerous chemical to anyone who handled enough of it. The risk was very high for “phossy” jaw.
This sweet little heart by Minshull & Latimer was crafted in 1900 with the initials of ‘FVB’ has been sold. You can see on the edge of the heart where matches were struck on the serrated edge of the case. Leopard Antiques.
To keep one safe from spontaneous combustion, these ingenious little boxes were invented and only a few inches in length. Referred to as Vesta Cases in England and Match Safes in America, they were fireproof, light and portable. Artfully designed with a closely fitted hinged top and serrated striker on the side or bottom, the inside of the case would often be gilded to protect the silver from the sulfur head of the match, which would otherwise tarnish the silver.
By Liberty & Co. most likely by Archibald Knox c. 1902. (see International Match Safe Associations's museum section).They were designed in almost every conceivable material and in a variety of forms. Match safes were fashioned out of other materials such as wood, ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell, leather, bone and Bakelite. The decoration reflected the fads and fashions of the day.
A wee little Scientific American newspaper by Enos Richardson & Co., 1890. (see International Match Safe Associations's museum section).
Formed in the shape of a violin. London, 1889. Available at Wax Antiques.
In the form of a dog’s head and made of sterling silver with real fur. (see International Match Safe Associations's museum section).
By Tiffany. Photos show the front and back. Note the little bug on the lid. Part of the the collection of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.
The more expensive ones were made from gold. Some were set with diamonds, rubies or other precious gems. Others had enameled designs which became popular later during the Edwardian era. Some of the most valuable match safes today are the enameled sterling ones depicting one favorite activity of men: hunting.
Enameled over sterling silver by Howard James, England c. 1890. Available at B Silverman.
But of course, many depicted the most favorite topic for the male viewer.
More common safes, however, were silver-plated, nickel-plated, or made of brass. Some were even made of nickel alloy to resemble sterling.
Brass Lady's Leg, Continental c. 1895. (see International Match Safe Associations's museum section).As women were slowly and grudgingly admitted into the tobacco fraternity during Edwardian times, some match safes were designed to appeal to feminine tastes.
The invention of the pocket lighter curbed the use of the match safe. During the First World War soldiers found the pocket lighter to last longer and were easy to refill. Match safes fell out of favor when the new lighters became more available becoming obsolete by World War II.
Still popular with collectors today, a decade ago one fetched at auction quite a price:
A Victorian vesta case sold in 1999 at Christies for $12,429. The front is enameled with a seaside Punch and Judy tent. It shows Mr. Punch, Judy, Toby the Dog and a drummer, by Sampson Mordan, London 1887.Many match safes can be purchased for a few hundred bucks. For those wanting to purchase a genuine article that is not only functional but also possesses a lovely aesthetic, think about one of these. Surely the match safe constitutes an affordable luxury in this day and age that some people can still buy and afford. Many costs less than a fancy cell phone designed to last only a matter of years, and it certainly last longer.
I am not a smoker but somehow after looking at these little match safes I am charmed by their ingenious workmanship. Next time I light my scented candles, I’d rather pull a match from a lovely little match safe rather than from a book of cardboard matches with the phone number of a bail bondsman stamped across the front.
I am not a smoker but somehow after looking at these little match safes I am charmed by their ingenious workmanship. Next time I light my scented candles, I’d rather pull a match from a lovely little match safe rather than from a book of cardboard matches with the phone number of a bail bondsman stamped across the front.