This is a Victorian combination matchsafe / vesta & candle holder, made of brass & marked 'BEAUFILS' to the base, & dating to around c.1870 - 80.

Pocket candle boxes first appeared around c.1850 & were designed for people who, when travelling, would have an easily portable, ready source of light for reading, writing, etc, in an era before gas & electric lighting were commonplace, & most lodgings were ill-lit.

The holder is made from brass & consists of two joined cylinders, both with push fit lids, & a central, ridged striking panel. The shorter tube is designed to hold the matches, & the longer tube holds the candle.

The candle tube has an internal spring, designed to push the candle up as it burns, & the top is fitted with an outer cap, which has a small lip designed to hold the candle in place. The outer cap is held in place via a slot & button, & twists off to enable the candle to be replaced.

Both the match & candle compartments have push fit lids, which are connected to the candle holder cap via chains.

The base of the holder is marked 'BEAUFILS'.

Condition is Fine for it's 140 years, with all parts present. The match holder has a tiny bruise & the holder looks to have been plated originally (traces can bee seen when the lids are removed). The candle is a tight fit & has not been removed.

The holder stands approx 4 1/8" high (at the highest point), or approx 10.3cm.