This season, shift your focus from traditional decorative pieces like vases or artwork; the hottest accessory gracing homes is the matchbox.
Gone are the days of the plain matchbook. Today, the matchbox is making a significant comeback as a stylish art form, with options ranging from silver plating to intricately designed ceramics and exclusive designer labels.
Once merely a vehicle for advertising, the matchbox lost popularity in the mid-20th century, yielding to the convenience of disposable lighters. However, like many bygone trends, it has resurfaced as a charming and collectible item.
According to Abask, an online retailer specializing in homeware and crafts, “We’ve noticed a significant increase in the interest for matchbox covers.” The retailer reported their strongest sales month ever in this category, reflecting a newfound appreciation for these mini masterpieces in thoughtfully designed interiors.
Jo Laing, a London-based illustrator, has experienced similar success with her tarot-inspired ceramic matchboxes. “The first collection sold out within ten minutes, and demand has only risen since,” she stated. “This year, our overall sales have increased by 60 percent.”
“People are paying greater attention to every detail of their homes,” Laing continues. “With interiors becoming more visible on Instagram and other social media platforms, even everyday items like matchboxes have found their place in curated displays on coffee tables, mantels, and at firesides.”
This resurgence is undoubtedly bolstered by trendy restaurants using matchboxes as chic keepsakes. At the understated Italian trattoria Brutto in London, guests are encouraged to take one as they leave. Meanwhile, in New York, patrons of the upscale chicken restaurant Coqodaq find its matchboxes to be highly coveted souvenirs that signal culinary achievement.
Whether used for igniting a cozy fire, lighting elegant candles, or discreetly enjoying an after-dinner cigarette, a stylish matchbox has evolved into an essential home accessory. Here are some of our top picks.
Chic Matchboxes to Elevate Your Space
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Cartier, Panthère de Cartier Matchboxes
Where elegance meets utility, the Cartier matchbox trio showcases the brand’s signature panther motif amidst lush foliage, complete with luxurious gilded details. Each box holds around 80 matches—perfect for display, gifting, or personal use.
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Diptyque, Match Holder
Renowned for their exquisite scented candles, Diptyque complements them with an elegant glass match holder. Crafted by hand in Italy, its twisted design enhances transparency, while the cork lid serves as a match striker, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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Herno Habita, Matchbox Cover
Far from traditional cardboard offerings, Herno Habita’s glass matchbox cover is handcrafted in Italy using a vintage lampshade-making technique. Its cloche design features a leather strap for organizing matches, with discreet striking panels on either side.
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Abask, Silver Matchbox
Similar in shape to traditional matchboxes, Abask’s iteration stands out with its silver plating and a miniature turtle topped with a limpet shell. A subtle striking strip is provided, and alternatives include a silver crab-topped version with a lion’s paw shell.
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Jo Laing, Ceramic Matchbox
Jo Laing, a British illustrator, ventured into designing matchbox cases as a passion project, quickly discovering a strong market. Drawing inspiration from tarot cards, vintage food wrappers, and storybook imagery, her hand-crafted pieces from Stoke-on-Trent feature whimsical motifs and come with 40 extra-long matches.
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Artemest, Giant Matches Holder
Crafted by the renowned Giobagnara leathersmith in Liguria, this dusky-blue, leather-bound match holder offers an elevated yet subtle aesthetic. Eschewing the traditional sliding cover design, it features a practical flap closure and comes with 60 matches, along with a refined striking strip on the underside.
Selecting the Finest Matchboxes
Every featured item was thoughtfully curated by our editors and contributors at Elite Traveler, through a process of firsthand evaluations wherever possible and thorough research otherwise. Our selection highlights luxury brands celebrated for their commitment to unparalleled quality, thoughtful design, and outstanding craftsmanship.
