This is a late Victorian / early Edwardian Silver Plate vesta or match safe, almost certainly of British manufacture (prob. Scotland) and with inlaid Agates, & dating to around 1890 - 1910.

The vesta is rectangular in form, with a hinged lid & an inset striker to the base.

The front of the case has been beautifully chased with a thistle & leaf design within a wriggle-work border, and then inset with four different Banded Agate 'Thistles'.

The rear and sides of the case are plain.

Each of the four inlaid thistles are made up of two pieces of Banded Agate, with each piece having varying shades of Blue, Brown, Grey, & white. One Agate roundel is missing, although this would be relatively easy to replace.

Condition, with the exception of the above mentioned roundel, is Fine. The hinge & closure are fine, and the case is of a high quality and thick plate, as there is no plate loss. The striker is worn to the centre (as would be expected on a 110 - 20 year old case).

The case measures approx 2" long by 1 1/4" wide (approx 5.1cm x 3.2cm).