Sterling Silver Card Case 1904
£75.00
This antique sterling silver business card/calling card case is engraved "AER" in the left corner, and has a lovely curved form. The piece bears the clear hallmark of William Henry Sparrow, Birmingham, 1904.
Today, the beautiful cases make lovely modern business card holders, and fit perfectly in the modern world. Calling card cases like this one were popular in the Victorian era, and the practice of leaving calling cards began in France and spread throughout Europe and the United States. Silver cases and highly decorated cards were used to represent one's status or intentions in society, and being aware of the etiquette surrounding visiting cards was an example of one’s high-standing in society. If a visitor of social importance arrived and left their calling card, hosts would often leave the card displayed on a silver tray for as long as possible, to communicate their own social importance. As the practice grew in popularity, so did the number of cards a visitor was expected to leave. Married women were expected to leave one of their cards for each adult female in a family she was visiting, as well as two of her husband’s cards!
Height: 1.6 inches (4.1cm)
Length: 3.3 inches (8.3cm)
Depth: .3 inches (0.8cm)
Weight: 1.34 ozt (41.8 grams)
Today, the beautiful cases make lovely modern business card holders, and fit perfectly in the modern world. Calling card cases like this one were popular in the Victorian era, and the practice of leaving calling cards began in France and spread throughout Europe and the United States. Silver cases and highly decorated cards were used to represent one's status or intentions in society, and being aware of the etiquette surrounding visiting cards was an example of one’s high-standing in society. If a visitor of social importance arrived and left their calling card, hosts would often leave the card displayed on a silver tray for as long as possible, to communicate their own social importance. As the practice grew in popularity, so did the number of cards a visitor was expected to leave. Married women were expected to leave one of their cards for each adult female in a family she was visiting, as well as two of her husband’s cards!
Height: 1.6 inches (4.1cm)
Length: 3.3 inches (8.3cm)
Depth: .3 inches (0.8cm)
Weight: 1.34 ozt (41.8 grams)
