Silver matchbox with initials "D M C" Birmingham 1921/22

Silver matchbox holder Birmingham 1921-22, weighing 19 grams, and in excellent condition. Decorated with vertical ribs, it features a plaque with the initials “D M C” equipped with a snap-on lid and a scraping strip on the bottom. Inside the lid’s limiter, we find a complete perforation cycle.

The history of matchbox cases for this collectible smoking item 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 left the house without this essential accessory in his waistcoat.

So important that it also influenced fashion; tailors of that time 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 were equipped with a snap-on lid and a scraping strip and 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, the matchbox was regarded as a very important advertising tool. It immediately gained prominence at World Exhibitions, during the turn of the century frenzy, and also by companies producing alcohol, champagne, and beer, which printed their logos on them.

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

Many styles characterize antique furniture, but a few are particularly notable. Eclectic furniture belongs to the 19th century, during which the Biedermeier style was dominant. Its early 20th-century variants include neo-Gothic, Gothic, Rococo, Louis-Philippe style, and finally the English Victorian style. By the end of the century, these styles evolved into pseudo-classicism, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the late 18th to early 19th century, inspired by Napoleon’s reign. This period features significant similarities and references to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture, such as Louis XVI style, also strongly references ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. The Baroque style, derived from the Portuguese word 'barocco'—meaning irregularly developed pearl—was characterized by very ornate furniture meant to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to emphasize the grandeur of these pieces.

Today, we can observe how much the Baroque style influenced modern classic 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, using brown stains, moldings, sturdy bases, and reliefs. These products were quite distinctive but also opened new possibilities, such as the construction of credenzas and broadly defined chest furniture. They also reflected an interest in mythology and antiquity, with supports and legs often taking animal forms.

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