Go-to-bed or getting-into-bed matchboxes were a variety of

match A match is a tool for starting a fire. Typically, matches are made of small wooden sticks or stiff paper. One end is coated with a material that can be ignited by friction generated by striking the match against a suitable surface. Wooden matc ...

storage box popular in the mid-to-late 19th century. Relatively small, about 6 cm high, they were frequently made of metal of some kind, though sometimes of wood or

ivory Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is ...

. Most incorporated a rough surface on which the match could be struck. All featured a small hole or

finial A finial (from '' la, finis'', end) or hip-knob is an element marking the top or end of some object, often formed to be a decorative feature. In architecture, it is a small decorative device, employed to emphasize the Apex (geometry), apex of a d ...

, sometimes in ivory and always part of the design, into which the lit match could be placed, rather like a miniature

candle A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in wax, or another flammable solid substance such as tallow, that provides light, and in some cases, a fragrance. A candle can also provide heat or a method of keeping time. A person who makes candles i ...

. The idea was that, rather than risk taking a lit candle near to the voluminous fabric of a four poster bed, the lit match on the

mantelpiece The fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a fire grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and c ...

would burn for some 30 seconds — just long enough for the person to snuff out the candle and get into bed.

Designs

There is huge variety in the designs of the matchboxes. Some were relatively simple boxes or cylindrical containers, some were barrel-shaped and made of wood or metal, while others were cast metal figures in a wide variety of designs. Private collections include

castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

towers, a

Napoleonic Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

soldier of the

Second Empire Second Empire may refer to: * Second British Empire, used by some historians to describe the British Empire after 1783 * Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396) * Second French Empire (1852–1870) ** Second Empire architecture, an architectural styl ...

, a Gothic

knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...

holding a torch, a little boy selling newspapers, a bear chained to a ragged staff, and so on. Other designs feature

flower seller A flower seller, normally a woman, traditionally sells flowers on the street. Often the flowers are carried in a basket, for example. The subject matter has been a favorite of artists.Diego RiveraThe Flower Seller, 1942. The profession has mostly d ...

s and exotic ladies with a separate 'basket' in which the matches were stored. One specific variety of go-to-bed is " Prince Albert's Safety Vesta Box". This was a decorated brass tub with an embossed top. Ribbed under the base for striking matches, it had a small finial to take a single match on top, and was marked "Prince Albert's Safety Box, 150 Patent Vesta Lights".

Designs

References

See also