An ornate silver-toned match case with a filigree embossed center is displayed on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth surroundings.

Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian

£90.00
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An ornate silver-toned match case with a filigree embossed center is displayed on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth surroundings.
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  • An ornate silver-toned match case with a filigree embossed center is displayed on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth surroundings.
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  • An ornate silver match case with a filigree motif center lies on the pages of an open vintage book with red cloth around it.
  • An ornate silver-toned match case with engraved detailing rests on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth surroundings.
  • Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian
  • Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian
  • Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian
  • An ornate silver-toned match case with a filigree embossed center is displayed on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth surroundings.
  • An ornate silver plated match case with a heart-shaped center, displayed on the pages of an open antique book.
  • An ornate silver match case with a filigree motif center lies on the pages of an open vintage book with red cloth around it.
  • An ornate silver-toned match case with engraved detailing rests on the pages of an open antique book with red cloth surroundings.
  • Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian
  • Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian
  • Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian
Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian

Antique Silver Plate Vesta Case, Repousse Scrollwork, Shield Form, Inscribed J. Fearn, Suspension Ring, Late Victorian Early Edwardian

£90.00
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description

J. Fearn had their name put on this.

Not initials. Not a monogram. A name, in full cursive script, cut into the reserved quatrefoil cartouche at the centre of the front face. J. Fearn carried this, or someone gave it to them and wanted there to be no question whose it was.

The case itself is a cut above the ordinary. The form is shield-shaped, wider at the top and curving to a narrower base, with an elaborate suspension ring at the crown finished with a cast acorn finial, made to hang from a watch chain or chatelaine. The front face is worked in high-relief repousse: bold S-curves and C-scrolls building a deep, three-dimensional border around the central cartouche, the kind of decorative work that requires real skill to execute and holds the light well in every direction. The reverse is plain and undecorated, with a milled strike plate at the base for lighting matches, the functional element of the object left entirely unadorned against the ornate front.

Silver plate on white metal, no hallmarks present, consistent with late Victorian or early Edwardian production, c.1885 to 1910. The repousse style and the shield form are both characteristic of that period's taste for elaborate pocket objects, when a vesta case was as much a social object as a practical one.

The Particulars:

  • Type: Vesta case, shield form with suspension ring and acorn finial
  • Metal: Silver plate on white metal
  • Era: Late Victorian to early Edwardian, c.1885 to 1910
  • Front: High-relief repousse scrollwork border, reserved quatrefoil cartouche, inscribed J. Fearn in cursive script
  • Reverse: Plain, undecorated, milled strike plate to base
  • Suspension: Ornate ring with cast acorn finial at crown, for chain or chatelaine
  • Marks: None. No hallmarks present, consistent with silver plate.
  • Condition: Age wear and surface patina throughout, consistent with period. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.

A pocket object made with considerable ambition, belonging to someone who saw no reason not to put their name on beautiful things.

Arrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.

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