Object of the Day: A Dog Toby Vesta Case

Reaching the age of thirty-nine has a good many advantages. I can, frankly, see why Jack Benny remained thirty-nine for the remainder of his life. Perhaps I will, too. It should be fairly easy as long as the makers of facial moisturizer and auburn hair dye continue to stay in business.

So, since the world didn’t come to an end today, I thought I’d share with you one of the gifts that I received from my mother and father for my recent birthday. He’s a Vesta Case, and he’s very cute. 

Vesta Cases, also known as Vesta Boxes and match Safes were made , primarily, from the 1830s to the 1920s to hold “vestas,” short matches made by a company who borrowed their name from the Roman goddess Vesta, the deity of fire. These cases kept the matches dry and contained. Since matches were a very integral part of daily life during a period where fire was the primary source of light and heat, keeping them dry and handy was pretty important.

This little sterling silver Vesta takes the form of a sweet-faced terrier who is, of course, Mr. Punch’s Dog Toby. Sorry for the slightly blurry pictures, but it’s rather difficult to take pictures of small, shiny objects. Believe me, I’m surrounded by small, shiny objects and have tried to photograph all of them at some point. Nevertheless, you can see how handsomely made he is. And, look! He’s got lovely, sparkly green eyes! I find these especially pleasing since my Bertie’s eyes flash green in the light.

Having been made in the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century, he was built to last and shows no evidence of his age. I find this to be hopeful. I hope I stay as well preserved by the time I get to my next thirty-ninth birthday.

Object of the Day: A Mr. Punch "Go to Bed," c. 1870

We’ve looked at two of the vesta cases in my collection of Mr. Punch-related antiques. As you know, a vesta is a match-safe and was used to keep matches dry and unbroken.

This is a cousin to the vesta. This type of item is called a “Go to Bed.” Here, we have a figure of Mr. Punch (he’s missing his hat/the top of his head and his right arm). His left arm is extended and, he holds a small receptacle in his hand. A lit match would have been placed in his left hand—staying lit just long enough to get a person safely up the stairs to bed. In the days before electricity, and, even before the proliferation of gas-lighting, these “Go to Beds” would have been left at the base of the stairs, allowing an individual to extinguish the candles in the house, but still have a little light to keep from stumbling. They weren’t always Mr. Punch, but, rather came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Of course, you know why I wanted this one—even missing a limb and part of his cranium.

Speaking of his cranium, at one time, his wee hat was hinged, revealing a compartment for the storage of matches. 

You may wonder what's going on with him.  Well, my father kindly made a base for Mr. Punch, and, now he's upright again.  Since he had a large hole in his head, I thought it might be cute to allow his "ideas" to come out.  So, now, from his head now blooms a bouquet of trade cards--all related to Mr. Punch.  

By the end of the Nineteenth Century, many of the Mr. Punch-related figures were converted for another use. Tubing was inserted through the base, making these sculptures into gas lighters which were used in pubs and taverns.

And so, we say..."Good night, Mr. Punch."

Object of the Day: Toby Vesta Case

Yesterday, we looked at one of my Christmas gifts—a sterling silver Mr. Punch vesta case or match safe. Now, let’s look at his companion. Naturally, it’s the Dog Toby. This vesta case in sterling silver depicts Mr. Punch’s most faithful friend, Toby—complete with his little macaroni hat, looking quite dignified.

Both Punch and his canine friend are rendered in the style of the original “Punch” Magazine cover.

Object of the Day: A Mr. Punch Vesta Case

Well, here we are…Bertie, Joseph and Mr. Punch. Well, okay, really just Joseph. I’m getting a slow start today. I suppose I’m sluggish from eating my body weight in cookies, cake, and Yorkshire pudding. But, I suppose better late than never.

We had a fabulous Christmas. Lots of time together relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. And, of course, presents. Among the many treasures that Santa brought down the chimney, was this exceptionally beautiful sterling silver vesta case in the form of my dear Mr. Punch. I’ve wanted one of these for quite a long time, so I was particularly thrilled to open that gift.
In case you don’t know, vesta cases (also known as vesta boxes, or match safes) are small portable boxes made in a great variety of forms and shapes with snap-shut covers to contain vestas (short matches) so that they might remain dry.

These short matches are named after one of their early makers (whose name was taken from the goddess Vesta, the Roman goddess of fire). These beautiful and useful containers came into use around the 1830s and were produced well into the 1920s. Some companies continue to make them to this day though for collectible as opposed to practical purposes.

I’m really, really tickled by this gift. And, just to make sure that Mr. Punch doesn’t get lonely, I was also presented with a companion for him, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see him.