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| Novelty Antique Silver & Enamel Bell Shaped Vesta Case - Bells Asbestos
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Reference: S11531
Period: Victorian
Year: 1893
Silversmith: J.A&S
Place: Birmingham
Price: $ 1 200.00
Weight: 24 grams
Dimensions: 4.7 cm
Condition: Overall good, but 2 tiny chips to enamel, 3 mm top left edge, and 4 mm bottom left corner (only visible with magnifier). Silver ball clanger missing from base. No dents to silver, hinge and clasp excellent. Minor scratches to enamel.
Description: An interesting novelty Victorian silver and enamel advertising vesta case, in the shape of a bell, with a buoy at sea that reads "ASBESTOS", with a warning bell inside the buoy. The asbestos bell buoy is the registered trademark of the Bells Asbestos Co. Ltd, which in it's day was one of the largest asbestos companies in the world. The vesta case has a spring loaded opening on the base, this also has the traditional vesta striking strip, note the silver ball clanger we have seen on other examples is missing. The vesta has a suspension loop, with hallmarked suspension ring at the top. The vesta and the lid are both clearly hallmarked, makers mark J.A &S is very clear, this has been described as J Aitken and son by some sources, but we think this unlikely as they only worked between 1903 and 1918, so we prefer to say the maker has not been identified yet (all assistance welcome). A similar vesta was part of the Christies specialist vesta sale 8876 (22 September, 2000), lot 14, which was displayed on the front cover of the catalog, it sold for GBP 940. Another similar vesta is currently for sale by London dealer G. Cohen fpr GBP 1950, incorrectly dated circa 1910 due to unclear date letter, hence the incorrect attribution to J Aitken & Son (note both these vestas have the ball clanger). A similar Bells Asbestos vesta, but silver plate and without the enamel, the bell engraved, was part of the John & Patricia McKenzie collection of vesta cases, auctioned by Lawrences 15 January 2018, lot 98, page 17 of catalog. Bells Asbestos was founded in 1876 by John Bell, who pioneered the manufacture of engine packings and jointings using spun Canadian asbestos. Under the trademark Bestobell they produced fire protective equipment for firemen, welders and steel workers. Many recall the iconic statue of a fireproof suit that stood at company headquarters in Slough, which was only removed recently. Note January 2025 - Another example of this rare vesta case has just been added to the Steppes Hill farm antiques website, they describe it as rare.
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Novelty Antique Silver & Enamel Bell Shaped Vesta Case - Bells Asbestos
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Bells Asbestos silver enamel vesta case, matchsafe
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Antique Silver & Enamel Bell Shaped Vesta Case
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Silver & Enamel Bell Shaped Vesta Case - Bells Asbestos
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Bells Asbestos silver vesta with striker
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J.A & S Birmingham 1893 silver hallmarks
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Novelty Antique Silver & Enamel vesta case
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