This is a figural Victorian cast Brass match holder or vesta 'go to bed', in the form of a 'begging dog', & made in Europe around 1890.

The holder depicts a 'begging dog' sitting upright on his hindquarters with a begging bowl in his mouth.

The dogs head is hinged at the neck, and opens to reveal a compartment for storing the vestas or matches, the dogs 'fur' is used as a striking surface, and there is a hole in one of the dogs hind paws, which was designed to hold the lighted match, for use as a 'go to bed'.

The detail in the casting is good, & the dogs head still retains the original Glass eyes.

An identical holder is shown and described on page 121 in the Schiffer 'Book on Match Holders'.

The holder measures approx 2 5/8" in height (approx 6.6 cm)

Condition is fine for it's 118 years, the head has a little sideways play, due to the hinge pin being a little loose (easily replaced), but other than that, a totally original and scarce match holder.

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