Antique silver matchbox Birmingham 1920/21

Ancient silver matchbox holder Birmingham 1920-21. A pocket-sized silver matchbox case made of 925 sterling silver, richly decorated with engravings of scrolls and phytomorphic motifs, featuring a tableau with the initials “P S”. It bears Birmingham city marks from 1920/21 and weighs 20 g. Excellent condition. Equipped with a snap-on lid and a striker strip on the bottom.

The history of matchbox cases as collectible smoking accessories begins with the “brilliant intuition” of the Englishman John Walker, who invented the match in 1840; the idea was immediate—to gather these fires into a case to keep it handy for lighting a pipe or cigar in a club. No gentleman would leave the house without this essential accessory in his waistcoat.

So important that it also influenced fashion; tailors of that era began designing and creating men's suits with a special inside pocket for the matchbox. An incredible variety of models emerged, rapidly succeeding each other from the second half of the 19th century to the 1920s, when they were replaced by mechanical lighters. They featured snap-on lids and striker strips, made from various materials. Those made of gold and silver had a feature that allows us to determine the production period today. The greatest refinement was engraving your initials.

Back then, matchbox cases were seen as very important promotional tools. They immediately gained popularity at World Exhibitions, during the frenzy of the turn of the century, as well as among companies producing alcohol, champagne, and beer, which printed their logos on them.

Elegant antique furniture and accessories can be an excellent idea for decorating our interiors. Nowadays, there is a growing number of enthusiasts for high-quality vintage items that have a specific character and soul. It’s a nod to history, craftsmanship, and the design of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

There are many styles characteristic of antique furniture, but a few stand out as the most important. Eclectic furniture belongs to the 19th century, marked by the prevailing Biedermeier style. Its early variations include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis-Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. Toward the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Everything was influenced by Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a resemblance to Roman and Greek decorative motifs.

Neoclassical furniture is associated with Louis XVI style, which also strongly references ancient architecture. Notable and interesting are antique products in Rococo style and Louis XV style. Next is Baroque, a term derived from the Portuguese “barocco”—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Materials were selectively chosen to emphasize the grandeur of these items.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classical furniture, which is designed with a strong resemblance to the historical period. An important style is also Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and left a significant mark on furniture-making. Renaissance furniture was quite heavy and massive, often using brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also introduced new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly speaking, chest-type furniture. They also drew inspiration from mythology and ancient times, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

Lion paws, eagle heads – these are common sights especially in Renaissance style. Currently, many global brands reproduce furniture made in this style, drawing inspiration from Italian and French creators. This reflects admiration and respect for the history of the most beautiful Renaissance antiques. It is important to remember that each country perceived furniture craftsmanship differently, so each style in a given nation had its own distinct character. This is very important, especially when searching for the perfect exclusive antique for your interior.

The most important aspect of elite antique furniture is originality. This is ultimately crucial from the buyer's perspective, as many counterfeits circulate on the market. Luxury Products provides a certificate confirming the product's compliance with the actual description and photographs. We have appraisers, art experts, historians, and specialists from around the world at your disposal.