This is an early Victorian 'Go to Bed' Vesta or Matchsafe, dating to circa 1850.

The Brass case is cylindrical in form & decorated with a geometric & floral pattern in green enamel, with the push on lid being impressed with 'DOWLERS NOCTURNAL VESTA MATCH BOX - REGISTERED NO 2349 - 25th JUNE 1850'.

This particular box has the rare 'Spring Igniting' system, which was only produced from 1850 to 1853 (due to the design being dangerous).

The top of the lid is fitted with a spring loaded match socket (Go to Bed) which is connected to a rod that passes through the top of the lid and attaches to a plate on the inside. There is a hole on the edge of the lid & the idea was to depress the 'go to bed' socket & place a match in the hole. When the socket is released the match is gripped by the plate. The match would then be withdrawn sharply, the match being ignited by the rough surface of the plate - please see photo's.

The (potentially dangerous) fault in the design, was that particles from the ignited match could (& did) drop past the inner plate & ignite the stored matches.
The box was redesigned by Thomas Dowler's Son, George, who was granted a Patent in June 1853 for an improved design (the box having a fixed diaphragm below the plate), but this box was never manufactured, probably due to all Dowlers boxes having a striking surface to the base.

CONDITION : Excellent for it's 157 years ; the enamaling is slightly worn & there is a slight scorch mark above the 'igniting' hole, EXCELLENT, given it's age.