The year is 1795 or 1821, please?

I bought this box of matches online without checking the markings; according to the seller, it was French. When it arrived, I had a big surprise: it’s English, and the year is either 1795 or 1821. If we look at the silvering, the year would be 1795, but if we look at the “x,” I think it’s closer to 1821, considering the distance above the “x,” which was the only relevant difference I found in the hallmarks between the two years.

2 Likes

Samuel Pemberton c1787 - 1811 :wink:

2 Likes

Thank you Jools :grinning_face: :grinning_face: :grinning_face:

1 Like

You’re welcome, I’m just wondering if it is a Vesta case or something else !!! :thinking:

2 Likes

1795 - 100% sure.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1368986617/samuel-pemberton-small-antique-george

I think it’s a match holder/ matchstick.

2 Likes

It’s an etui (for sewing tools, etc) or possibly a fleam case (for blood-letting blades), although I think that would have been a bit taller. Matches in the modern sense of a stick with an ignitable top weren’t invented until 1826.

3 Likes

APC, case dimensions, please.

Bloodletting kits:

Maker Samuel Pemberton, Birmingham

Date 1793

Width 3.2cm (1.25")

Length 4.44cm (1.75")

Depth 1.3cm (0.5")

Weight 14g

Too little space to accommodate bloodletting instruments (blades)…

These are just my doubts. I trust Phil’s knowledge.

An 18th century exquisite silver cased scent bottle I knew it… A scent bottle.

2 Likes

Vestas or Match Boxes always appear to have a Serrated Striker on them , I’ll go with a Sewing Etui :wink:

1 Like

And I stubbornly choose the silver cased scent bottle. :zany_face:

1 Like

I like the scent bottle proposal. The case as shown looked a little too small for an etui and pretty certainly too small for fleams.

4 Likes

The box have 4,4 x 2,5 x 1,3 cm and 9 g.

1 Like

I may be stupid - I don’t care - but sometimes I’m right. :fire_extinguisher: :menorah:

2 Likes

You’re a clever joker! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Thank you!

2 Likes

Thank you for your understanding.

2 Likes

What sort of seller does not know the lion?

1 Like

:wink:

2 Likes

Believe it or not, I’ve bought English pieces with Canadian hallmarks, such as those plated with silver, and most of us Brazilians don’t know how to read hallmarks.

1 Like