This is a good looking Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta Case. The vesta is oblong with a hinged lid and engraved to front and back with scrolling acanthus leaves. There is a blank circular cartouche on the front and the inside is gilded.

The vesta case was made in Birmingham by silversmiths Constantine & Floyd and dates to 1897. Alfred Constantine and William Henry Floyd registered their mark in Birmingham in 1880 and later registered marks in both Chester and London. They were jewellers and silversmiths and produced many small items of silverware, primarily for personal use. They became a limited company in 1900 and opened a showroom in London’s prestigious Hatton Garden district. The firm was bought by Henry Williamson in 1931.

Condition is very good, with no dings or dents and just the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after over 125 years of use, much of it probably spent in a pocket or handbag. The hinge is in full working order and the lid snaps shut securely. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The vesta case is 3.9cm / 1.5ins high and 2.8cm / 1.1ins wide and weighs in at 18.2g / 0.64oz / 0.58toz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks on the inside rim of the body are nice and clear to read apart from a little distortion to the makers' mark, although it remains identifiable. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the anchor assay mark for Birmingham the date letter x for 1897 and the Ce & Fd makers' mark for Constantine & Floyd.