Posted 10 years ago
kivatinitz
(342 items)
This is one of my favorites sterling objects, it looks almost Russian because of the hand engraved oak leaves and fruits. It is difficult to see handmade English silver items. It is clearly marked at the Birmingham assay office with the o letter and the Victoria head (1888) http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/date_letters.html. The makers mark is GU George Unite, Caroline Street, Birmingham http://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilvermarksXGDUE3.html. Matches were smaller at that time and were those not safe. In the third picture you can see the strike part. On this site (Collectors weekly) there is an excellent review on sterling vesta case or match box or holder. http://www.collectorsweekly.com/tobacciana/match-holders
Great vesta;-) love the Acorns!
I've seen a couple of these over the past year and wondered what they were used for. I've learned something new today! Thanks for sharing!
You know JScotto I love interchanging knowledge. Thanks to everybody for the thanks and commentes