Cowan’s to auction hundreds of antique match safes June 28

California ore sample match safe with agate and gold quartz panels, late 19th century. The lid top is set with eight ore samples from California mines under a sapphire crystal. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Cowan’s Auctions ima

CINCINNATI – Cowan’s Auctions will present the second installment of the Magnificent Match Safe Collection of David and Holiday Winfield of St. Louis, Mo., on Thursday, June 28. The collection includes fine examples of a variety of safes in sterling silver, 14K gold and enameled decoration. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

One of the many rare examples is a California ore sample match safe with agate and gold quartz panels (above). The lid of the 14K gold match safe is set with eight ore samples from California mines under a sapphire crystal. It is engraved on the side “Juda Newman / from Mrs. S.N. / 1878.” The match safe, which has a $40,000-$60,000 estimate, measures 2½ inches high by 1 3/8 inches wide.

A few of the match safes have matching cigarette cases. Made in Birmingham, England, a fully hallmarked cigarette case and match safe are decorated with an enameled scene of a horse, sulky and driver.

Horse, sulky and driver sterling cigarette case and match safe, English (Birmingham), 1887. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000. Cowan’s Auctions image

More than 200 lots will cross the auction block, including many more English and Continental match safes. Another set, made in London in 1888-1889, is decorated with painted panels of a showgirl in a black costume. Both fully hallmarked, the cases are signed “H. Gray.”

English sterling cigar and match safe set with showgirl decoration, London, 1888-1889. Estimate: $5,000-$6,000. Cowan’s Auctions image

Another enameled set is Austrian of .900 silver by Georg Adam Scheid (below). It dates to the turn of the 20th century.

Georg Adam Scheid .900 silver enameled match safe and cigarette case, Austrian, late 19th-early 20th century. Estimate: $4,500-$6,500. Cowan’s Auctions image

For details contact Cowan’s Auctions at 513-871-1670.