A sterling silver pocket match vesta, or match safe, in the classic form featuring a human skull in a crown with old mine cut ruby eyes, below it a cane with a serpent wrapped around . The skull is very beautifully depicted in detail and realism. Quite often items featuring skulls tend to be a little cartoonish, or more humourous. However, this example is a little more realistic, and sinister.
The design features a very tightly snapping top hinged lid, and then on the underneath of the base is a striking plate. The striking works well with a non-safety match, and is in excellent condition, as can be seen from the picture of it on its side. The quality of the stamping from the die is exceptional and helps to create quite the foreboding scene to it.
The subject matter of a human skull was one that was very popular during the Victorian times. It falls under the movement coined by a latin expression; "Memento Mori". This translates into; "Remember you must die". The vanitas and memento mori picture initially became popular in the seventeenth century, in a religious age when almost everyone believed that life on earth was merely a preparation for an afterlife. This subject matter appeared a lot more in jewellery and art work during the mid to late nineteenth century, taking on many different forms.
The piece is sterling silver with a Russian technique known as "Niello". The niello technique is an inlay technique that involves using a black mixture of metal sulfides to fill engraved designs on silver or gold. The mixture, called niello, is typically made of sulfur, copper, silver, and lead. The process is intricate and first requires the piece to have the pattern, or scene engraved into the metal. From this design the niello powder is added to the engraved details. It is then heated up allowing the compound to fill the design. It is then cooled and polished off to display the defined darker details against the polished top layer.
The vesta features a set of Russian hallmarks on the inside lip of the lid. The piece is in excellent condition throughout, with wear commensurate with age. These vesta, or safes, are great pieces to keep around the house, even for the non-smoker. If there are candles being used in the home, this is a chic and practical way to store matches for easy use.
