Antique 3-dimensional Embossed Hand Made Sterling Silver Nude Mermaid Match Safe
ANTIQUE 3-DIMENSIONAL EMBOSSED HAND MADE STERLING SILVER NUDE MERMAID MATCH SAFE. ANTIQUE 3-DIMENSIONAL EMBOSSED HAND MADE. STERLING SILVER NUDE MERMAID MATCH SAFE. ORIGINAL UNTOUCHED PATINA EARLY 1900s. This is an unusual 3-dimensional antique match safe container for match sticks featuring a nude Mermaid. In the 19th & early 20th Centuries, almost all men (and many ladies) of this period smoked; and this container held the wooden match sticks that could be struck on just about any surface to be lit. Obviously, these matches needed a secure metal container to carry them around; and this eye appealing design was created to be stored in a vest, jacket, pants pocket, or purse. This unusual 3-dimensional sterling silver antique Gentleman's pocket container for matches was considered risqué` for a Gentleman, and perhaps empowering for a Lady. 2 3/8" tall x 1 3/8" wide x 1/2 thick. 8 ounces or 23 grams.
The front panel has a 3-dimensional embossed Mermaid from the inside creating a raised design. The Mermaid motif suggests the owner may have been a yachtsman, boat owner, fisherman, naval personnel, or perhaps just a man with an appreciation for a provocative lady image.
The inside shows naturally occurring untouched aging that has not been cleaned. There is a small dovetail type hinge at the top left side that allows the bottom and top cover to open and close. Both the top and bottom align properly, and the spring opens and closes the match safe tightly with a snap. The bottom has a recessed serrated embossed channel that acts as the strike plate for strike anywhere matches.
This piece is not Maker marked but is stamped STERLING on the back inside protruding lip that aligns the top and bottom. I have been told that this style match safe came in various sizes and motifs, and date to the early 1900's. Overall, this piece this piece is in excellent condition with a deep, dark, naturally occurring untouched silver patina that collectors covet.
This eye appealing risqué piece would be perfect for any smoker, match safe, Tobacco, Gambler, or Sporting Gent, Nautical, Maritime display; and could still be used today by a Gent or Lady. Exceptions include holidays, power outages, and evacuations. Claims such as doesn't match description or photos, doesn't seem authentic, Doesn't fit, Wrong item sent, Missing parts or pieces, Doesn't work or defective, Arrived damaged.
Due to a myriad of International and U. Listing and template services provided by inkFrog. This item is in the category "Antiques\Maritime\Other Maritime Antiques".The seller is "1knifeguy1" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Republic of Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Vietnam.