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Victorian Silver Yacht Club Vesta Case.

A fine quality Victorian silver and enamel presentation Vesta Case with sailing interest, of rectangular form with attached suspension ring. The front enamelled with a red and black burgee with gold anchor for the Mudhook Yacht Club in Scotland. The reverse with contemporary engraved inscription : STEERSMAN'S PRIZE 1st July 1896. Silver gilt interior.

By B & S ? Birmingham, 1895.

The Mudhook Yacht Club was founded in 1873 by six friends going off for a weekend on one of the group’s steam yacht. They were in Boag’s Inn at Fairlie on the Firth of Clyde and having a quick one before going aboard while waiting for some of the others to appear. As they were a bit dissatisfied with the clubs around the Clyde they decided to form a yacht club of their own. This club was to be something special with the main aim being “to encourage Corinthian yachting” and not “to give expensive races for professional skippers steering their employers’ yachts”. They quickly adopted a constitution that included limiting the membership to forty members and held a regatta limited to helmsmen who were members of a recognised yacht club that was within fifty miles of Carrick Castle, another of their favourite watering holes on the Firth of Clyde. The constitution was subsequently changed to ‘forty and one forbye’ as, on a count, the Secretary had forgotten to count himself into the total. Thereafter the Club took a very active part in the Clyde racing scene. It was particularly noted for only giving two prizes in any race but both prizes were of a very high quality.

Vesta cases, which also go by the name of vesta boxes, matchsafes and pocket matchsafes, were used to stores vestas (short matches) and to keep them dry so that they were able to light when struck. They were first made in the 1830s, with their heyday being between 1890 and 1920, when everyone kept a vesta box to hand, though while the poor had boxes made from tin, the vesta boxes of the wealthy were made from gold and silver. Most vesta boxes had a ribbed surface on the bottom so that the owner could also strike the matches kept inside, while some also include cigar cutters and small knife blades. Steppes Hill Farm Antiques stocks a variety of antique silver vesta cases from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, specialising in enamel, novelty and engraved designs.

Dimensions

H 5.4 cms (2.13 inches) W 4.1 cms (1.61 inches) D 1.2 cms (0.47 inches)

Weight

39.00 Grams (1.25 troy ounces)




Condition report

In good condition with no damage or repair

Stock number

TRS120422C
Open Monday-Saturday 10-6; appointment advisable

The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard