Antique Sterling Art Nouveau Match Safe with Female Face, Flowing Hair

This beautiful example of Art Nouveau was generically called a Vesta match safe after Vesta, the Greek goddess of the hearth. It was produced sometime between 1890 and 1910. It is in near-flawless condition, a rarity as match safes go; the lids often get bent or warped, keeping the case from closing properly. Not so here. As you can see from the top views, the lid and lip of container are in perfect shape, with no bends or dings. The case snaps shut nicely and stays shut.
I have one of these in my purse because it’s the perfect size for carrying toothpicks. Only a suggestion… Pillbox or tobacco would work, too. Or of course, matches, but the striker on the bottom probably isn’t abrasive enough to spark a modern match. (Historical note: a century ago, matches were so volatile that they would spark on virtually anything and had to be carried safely. Ergo match safes.)
The front of this Vesta features a lovely, smiling woman’s face. She wears a garland atop her long flowing hair, which coils about the entire front of the safe in very sexy curves. Disclosure: there is a manufacturing flaw at the face’s left eye, noticeable only upon close examination but shown magnified and in slightly ghoulish detail here (photos 7,8). However, please note that when viewed at actual size, the ding merely looks like shadow. (First photo.)
On the back of the safe is a very pretty, symmetrical arrangement of lilies and the monogram FP (I think).
Safe measures 1 5/8”(41.27mm) wide by 2 ¾” (69.85mm) long by slightly less than half an inch (11.8mm) thick. The case is hallmarked sterling and has a satin finish.
Weight: 28.9 grams.

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