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 striker 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 have it at hand 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 influences 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 striker 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 was immediately adopted by World Fairs, the frenzy of the turn of the century, 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, craftsmanship, and the creation of classic and timeless furniture. There are many different styles in antique furniture, each with its distinctive features.

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Empire-style furniture and accessories date from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Everything stems from Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a significant resemblance to Roman and Greek ornamentation.

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