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19th Century English Victorian Mother of Pearl Business Calling Card Case

About the Item

19th century English Victorian mother of pearl and abalone visiting calling card or business card case with hinged lid. Measures 3.5" Wide x 4.5" Deep. In the day of genteel manners and formal introductions, the exchange of calling cards was a social custom that was essential in developing friendships. The custom of carrying calling or visiting cards began in France in the early 1800s. It quickly spread throughout Europe, and then became vastly popular in the United States from 1840-1900. Calling cards were carried primarily by the "well-to-do" ladies who made a point to go calling on friends and family on a specified day of the week or month, depending on their location and proximity to neighbors. The gracious reserve of a simple calling card is a gentle reminder of one's presence, and the care poured into a finely crafted card is a welcome courtesy. Calling cards were left at each person's home the individual went to visit, whether they were home or not. The person visiting would typically either leave their card in a "card receiver" which was set on an entry table in the foyer or on a parlor table or leave the card with a servant so that the homeowner would know they stopped by.

Dimensions:

Height: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Mother-of-Pearl

Period:

1840-1849

Date of Manufacture:

1940

Condition:

Good condition with light signs of use and age.

Seller Location:

Van Nuys, CA