Match Holders

Match holders were made to hold the large wooden matches that were used in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries for a variety of purposes. The matches were dipped in sulphuric acid and wrapped in sandpaper, before being pulled out of the paper and igniting. The kitchen stove and the fireplace or furnace had to be lit regularly. One type of match holder was made to hang on the wall, another was designed to be kept on a tabletop. Of special interest today are match holders that have advertisements as part of the design. For more information, explore our identification guides for advertising, metal, porcelain, and tinware.