A Victorian period calling card case with a central large diamond panel and tessellated design.  This example has very attractive tones of metallic pinks and turquoise at the right angles.  There is also a white metal plaque to the top which was intended to be engraved with initials for personalisation.  It has a push button to release the cap and a hinged lid.  The interior has a fabric lining to help keep the cards clean when taking them in and out.  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 1860.

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, and some minor natural flaws in the shell including one to the central diamond panel on one side visible in image 3.

Measurements (Approx)

Width: 7.7 cm ( 3 inches )

Height: 10.2 cm ( 4 inches )

Weight: 60 grams (before packing).

Stock Code:  1930 OC19-2