FLEW DESIGNS - BOX CHAIN NECKLACE

This unique necklace features an antique Victorian vesta box made from cow bone, adorned with an ornate sterling silver letter ‘H’, elegantly hung from an antique sterling silver fob watch chain with a crossbar and swivel clasp.

In the Victorian era, a well-dressed gentleman adhered to a strict dress code that included only essential and understated jewelry items. The gentleman’s watch chain was one of the last areas of personal expression allowed in this restrained society. Traditionally, the crossbar end of the chain was inserted into a buttonhole, with the watch secured in the vest pocket. The fob, often a medal or crest, was designed to make retrieving the pocket watch easier, hanging over the pocket's front and anchored to the watch chain by a short chain or ribbon.

Vesta boxes, produced extensively between 1890 and 1920, were essential accessories during this period. As early matches were unreliable and prone to spontaneous ignition, most people carried a match safe, or vesta box, to house their matches. These boxes were either held in a vest pocket or hung on a chatelaine.

Susie Lewis, the founder of Flew Design, brings her unique artistic vision and craftsmanship to each piece blending historical elements with contemporary design.  Since 2015, Flew Design has been collaborating with The Signet Bureau, bringing exceptional craftsmanship and curated collections to a wider audience. This partnership showcases unique and meaningful jewellery pieces, allowing customers to own a piece of history reimagined through modern artistry.