Go-to-bed match holder, mid 19th century

Dowler's nocturnal vesta matchbox.

To strike the stout wax-taper-lik matches they are first inserted into a hole in the lid after depressing the spring-loaded socket-plunger at the top. On releasing the plunger a round plate inside the lid grips the match head against the lid. On being withdrawn the match inflames and can be placed in the socket-plunger to burn vertically. The burning time was then long enough for the device to become known colloquially as a 'Go-to-bed match holder'.