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Saturday, December 5, 2009

15th Vesta Case


Again, a nice three piece cast in Brass but only silvered on the outside.

14th Vesta Case



This late 19th C cloisonné example has a spring loaded top and exquisite catch. No damage also which helps to make it a desirable object (or the object of someone's burning desire)?

13th Vesta Case

I've looked all over this piece, no makers mark - no clues to who made it or from where it came? Well constructed and pressed under lots of pressure, I can't also work out how the silvered highlights came to be? Exotic original location but found in Brisbane over thirty years ago.

12th Vesta Case

The most beautiful articulated skull with opening and closing jaws and a striker under the chin. Realistic cranial sutures but the teeth count doesn't (match) nature I'm afraid.


11th Vesta Case


Blooming bloomers - a bit risque for married men to carry around in Edwardian times unless it was a constant reminder of the Missus?

10th Vesta Case


A Japanese signed piece in Shakudo, maybe a mad monk from Mt Hiei - Kyoto? Now I should go and search the makers touch mark . . . with hinged lid like a leaf petal that fits down almost to his brow - nice one!

9th Vesta Case


I almost passed over this one, the shape said needle case (a darn easy maybe). I picked it up never the less because I like sewing paraphenalia also and then saw the striker underneath. A pretty little chatelaine, I've also seen them called bullets.

Friday, December 4, 2009

8th Vesta Case

Some say dog others (say) pig, I say wild boar with those tusks and trotters but have real questions about the 10,000 numerals - any thoughts and suggestions. Cast in two parts in copper.

7th Vesta Case


Three distinguishing features - the text element on the front (shown) has a pun + the highly scrolled patterned reverse side + the unusual lid closure like that on a camera aperture.

6th Vesta Case


This Chinaman I believe was from an early colonial worker's personal kit, numerous elements say this is old and history says found locally - Gympie area S.E. Qld. Purchased in 1974 from Harcourt Howard.

5th Vesta


Lovely three-piece timber vesta, my vibe says European but found in Brisbane easily late 19th C. The lower level is so well tensioned and is a pivot on one post. Finished with stamped pattern.