{"product_id":"antique-victorian-1879-vesta-case-sterling-silver","title":"ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 1879 VESTA CASE STERLING SILVER","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eHidden away in a pocket or suspended from a watch chain, Victorian vesta cases were everyday objects elevated to an art form. This beautifully preserved example is crafted in Sterling Silver and covered in intricate ivy engraving, with every surface alive with detail. A shield-shaped cartouche to the front bears an elegant monogram, adding another layer of history to an already character-filled piece. Fitted with a good-sized bale to the top.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eThe hinged lid opens smoothly to reveal its original purpose, while the ivy motif speaks to Victorian symbolism of fidelity, friendship and enduring connection. Equally at home worn as a pendant or displayed as part of a collection, it’s the kind of object that sparks conversation and rewards a closer look. With hallmarks for London, Sterling Silver, 1879.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eWhat You’ll Love:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eThe gorgeous all-over ivy engraving combined with stunning patina add to the feeling of owning a small piece of Victorian life that has survived beautifully through the generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eVesta Cases, a Brief History: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eVesta cases emerged in the early 1830s following the invention of \"wax vestas\" (early friction matches) in 1832. Because these early matches were highly volatile and prone to accidental combustion, these small, protective cases, often fitted with a spring-hinged lid and a bottom striker plate were designed to keep them safe and dry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eTimeline of production and popularity includes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e- The 1830s: Cases were first introduced in England. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e- 1890–1920: This was the \"golden age\" for vesta cases. They were widely carried by virtually everyone to light candles, oil lamps, pipes, and cigarettes.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e- The 1920’s–1930’s: Production rapidly declined and they became obsolete. The rise of disposable matchbooks and the invention of petrol-fuelled lighters (such as the first Ronson lighter in 1926 and the Zippo in 1932) replaced the need for match safes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e*Chain is for display only.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eTHE DETAILS:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eDROP:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e7.1cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eMETAL:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eSterling Silver, 925\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eHALLMARKS:  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eLondon, Silver, 1879\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eWEIGHT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e: 25 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003eCONDITION:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: 'Garamond',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Open Sans';\"\u003e In excellent antique\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003econdition, hinge open and closes smoothly, no dints, some very slight fading to etched details, nothing to distract from the beauty and condition of the piece overall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rock \u0026 Vestige","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49894380536037,"sku":"4680","price":650.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0397\/0039\/8236\/files\/IMG_6576_dc04d56f-fd71-435a-a50d-991107faf4c0.jpg?v=1782353543","url":"https:\/\/rockandvestige.com.au\/products\/antique-victorian-1879-vesta-case-sterling-silver","provider":"Rock \u0026 Vestige","version":"1.0","type":"link"}