Antique Victorian Calling Card Case with Mother of Pearl Diamond Panels c1870 (Code 1926)

A Victorian period calling card case with diamond and triangular mother of pearl panels. They have used different parts of the shell to create a pattern to the panels with the flatter parts to the center and the more striated pieces outermost. It has a push button to release the cap and a hinged lid. The interior has a paper lining to help keep the cards clean. These cases were of course used for calling cards and presenting your card at a residence or business was common practice during the 19th and early 20th century. This example likely dates around 1870.

This case is part of a recently acquired single owner collection. The predominant feature of the collection is the iridescent quality of the shells, with some particularly fine structural colours of the nacre. The colour and iridescence does of course change with the light and incident angle, so multiple images have been taken to try and give a sense of how it varies, all shot under halogen light.



Condition

Normal age related wear, a couple of very small losses to the edges of panels. A scuff to the surface on the edge panel below the press button (at the base).


Measurements (Approx)

Width: 7.6 cm ( 3 inches )

Height: 10 cm ( 3 7/8 inches )

Weight: 48 grams (before packing).



Stock Code: 1926 OC19-2