EXQUISITE SAMPSON MORDAN SILVER AND ENAMEL VESTA CASE - NO RESERVE

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Novelty,Very rare and Top Quality Victorian Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta/Match case by One of The Most Famous Victorian Silversmith,Sampson Mordan, London 1881. This stylish enameled Vesta case is a true novelty antique in a superb shape and condition. This top quality and very rare Vesta case is 130 years old but still in nice condition and would shine in any silver collection. Beautiful Vesta case with stunning enameled decoration,depicting an one penny Victorian stamp with unbelievable details for any serious Vesta case/silver collector. Definition of Vesta case: Vesta cases, vesta boxes, or pocket match safes or matchsafes were small portable boxes made in a great variety of forms. So called after the name of one of the early makers (which was taken from the goddess Vesta, a Roman deity of fire and the hearth), they came into use around the 1830s and were produced extensively between 1890 and 1920. During this period, almost everyone carried strike anywhere matches, so they could light stoves, lanterns and other devices. Early matches were unreliable and prone to ignite from rubbing on one another or spontaneously. Accordingly, most people carried a match safe to house their matches. Wealthy people had match safes made of gold or silver, while common folk had ones made of tin or brass. Fully sterling silver Hallmarks on both base and lid: London 1881 Maker: SM. Sampson Mordan was registered in London between 1836 & 1930 and is undoubtedly one of the most famous silversmith in making Novelty silver items. Please note that Sampson Mordan enameled Vesta cases are highly sought after and would add value to any silver collection. Some of his enameled Vesta cases have been sold in famous auction houses for the excess of £2000. Please see below links: /silver-and-porcelain/d/victorian-royal-silver-%26-enamel-vesta-case/82156 /LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4836013 Description and Condition:[please see photos] Exquisite, rare and top quality sterling silver and enamel Vesta case from top silversmith,Sampson Mordan. The enamel plaque depict an one penny Victorian stamp with stunning and unbelievable details. You can see smallest details of the young and beautiful Queen Victoria's face in the center of stamp! The silver has a shiny polish which in combination with masterfully made enameled plaque presenting a truly antique and rare masterpiece. The lid is hinged with sprung action and the base carries the striker. It was made from a very good gauge of sterling silver. There is no initials or inscription so it can be personalised. It is in stunning condition after 130 years with No Dent/Hole/Repair/Soldering what so ever. The enamel plaque is in absolute mint condition with no damage what so ever. The hinge has sprung action which helps with opening and closing of the lid. The hinge used to be in perfect condition.I have polished the case just before listing and left the lid open overnight to let inside get completely dry.Since then the lid still opens and closes nicely but I have noticed that the closed lid is a bit wobbly in the vertical direction.This only can be seen in the closed position and not in the opened position .I believe leaving the lid open for few hours has slightly weakened the sprung action of the hinge which is totally my fault and has to be mentioned for accuracy! Size: Length: 3.8 cm / 1.5 inches Width: 2.8 cm / 1.1 inch Overally this is a top quality and rare sterling silver and enamel Vesta/Match case from a top silversmith with superb decoration that hardly can be found in such a nice condition after 130 years and would add value to any silver collection. I am proud to offer this stunning and rare Vesta case which is from my private... read more

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