Antique Sterling Silver Engraved Ivy Leaves Vesta Case Locket / Pendant - 1891
Here I have a beautiful Victorian sterling silver vesta case / pendant. It was originally designed to be hung from a gentleman’s pocket watch chain, to hold matches to keep them safe and dry (the ridged bit on the base was for striking them!), but today you can pop any little keepsake inside. It’s hand engraved on the front with ivy leaves (symbols of everlasting love/friendship) and there’s an empty cartouche where you could have your initials engraved. The back is unengraved and has a concave design which is unusual on a vesta. It’s fully hallmarked on the rim with the date letter for 1891, from the Birmingham Assay Office, with the maker’s initials J.M.B.
The main body of the pendant measures 4.9cm long, 3.6cm wide and 1.3cm deep. With the bale ring at the side, the total width is 4.5cm. Weighs 25.3 grams.
Condition: Very good uncleaned antique condition. The lid snaps shut; not as vigorously as it once would, but enough to close properly and it holds shut. There are a few little dings t the silver commensurate with its age but overall, it just has the usual light marks and tarnish to the silver which you'd expect on an antique item.
Here I have a beautiful Victorian sterling silver vesta case / pendant. It was originally designed to be hung from a gentleman’s pocket watch chain, to hold matches to keep them safe and dry (the ridged bit on the base was for striking them!), but today you can pop any little keepsake inside. It’s hand engraved on the front with ivy leaves (symbols of everlasting love/friendship) and there’s an empty cartouche where you could have your initials engraved. The back is unengraved and has a concave design which is unusual on a vesta. It’s fully hallmarked on the rim with the date letter for 1891, from the Birmingham Assay Office, with the maker’s initials J.M.B.
The main body of the pendant measures 4.9cm long, 3.6cm wide and 1.3cm deep. With the bale ring at the side, the total width is 4.5cm. Weighs 25.3 grams.
Condition: Very good uncleaned antique condition. The lid snaps shut; not as vigorously as it once would, but enough to close properly and it holds shut. There are a few little dings t the silver commensurate with its age but overall, it just has the usual light marks and tarnish to the silver which you'd expect on an antique item.
Here I have a beautiful Victorian sterling silver vesta case / pendant. It was originally designed to be hung from a gentleman’s pocket watch chain, to hold matches to keep them safe and dry (the ridged bit on the base was for striking them!), but today you can pop any little keepsake inside. It’s hand engraved on the front with ivy leaves (symbols of everlasting love/friendship) and there’s an empty cartouche where you could have your initials engraved. The back is unengraved and has a concave design which is unusual on a vesta. It’s fully hallmarked on the rim with the date letter for 1891, from the Birmingham Assay Office, with the maker’s initials J.M.B.
The main body of the pendant measures 4.9cm long, 3.6cm wide and 1.3cm deep. With the bale ring at the side, the total width is 4.5cm. Weighs 25.3 grams.
Condition: Very good uncleaned antique condition. The lid snaps shut; not as vigorously as it once would, but enough to close properly and it holds shut. There are a few little dings t the silver commensurate with its age but overall, it just has the usual light marks and tarnish to the silver which you'd expect on an antique item.