Stock No. 2679	Victorian sterling silver vesta case in the shape of a lock
	Novelty Victorian, sterling silver, vesta case (or match striker) in the shape of a lock.. Birmingham 1880. The body of the case, which holds the matches is cylindrical in shape and has five applied bands of silver. One end is hinged to form a lid and the top of the lid is worked in a rough, raised criss-cross pattern on which the matches would be struck. The base end is struck centrally with a registration mark. The curved handle has a lock-shaped base. The full set of hallmarks and the maker's mark are stamped on the side of the curved handle. The Queen's head and the date mark are clearly stamped inside the lid. The Lion Passant and the anchor for Birmingham are stamped on one side of the base of the handle but have worn too much to be legible since this is where the vesta case is held.
	Maker :- MW

Condition :-Excellent, with good patina. The hallmarks inside the lid are crisp, the full hallmarks on the handle are slightly worn but very legible but the two hallmarks on the base of the handle are illegible
Hallmarked :- Birmingham 1880
Size :- 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) long x 0.95 inches (2.4 cm) high
Weight :- 0.4 ozt (11.9 g)
This is a very attractive collector's item. In the second half of the 19th century and particularly in the last quarter of that century, the Victorians loved to make things which were for everyday use in amusing and fun shapes. Vesta cases were made in all sorts of shapes and sizes and have, therefore, become highly collectable items.

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