A box of matches usually lives in the kitchen drawer, somewhere between the takeaway menus (do we all still have those?) and a roll of tape. But why would any of us continue in such a way when Matilda Goad has refreshed and relaunched her covetable matchbox sleeves just in time for Christmas?
Her original collection is made up of brass or silver cases that slip over a standard box of matches and stay on while you strike. They are embossed with waves, polka dots, lovebirds, fish, clover and a Greek key, and priced at £65, or £40 for a mini.
The new arrivals are even more of a treat, swapping the embossing for semi-precious stones – swirling green malachite, rich red jasper, deep blue lapis and banded agate – set into brass and silver in the manner of a Georgian snuffbox or an enormous cocktail ring.
The standard sizes are set with jasper, agate and lapis, all £85, minis in malachite, jasper and agate are £50. The limited-edition Jumbo Jewel sleeve (£160) is studded with five stones – jade, malachite, milky quartz, sunstone and red jasper – and is sized for extra-long matches, the kind needed to reach a wick sunk deep in a candle jar.
Every sleeve can be engraved with initials, a date or a short phrase, so an anniversary or a new house number can be added.
Shop online at MG&Co. or in store at 194 Ebury Street, London SW1W.
