I love when I find something old that is brand new to me. I have recently discovered antique mother of pearl Victorian card cases, and they fit the bill for a new obsession.

In the early 19th century, etiquette dictated that upper class ladies should carry a visiting card, also known as a calling card, printed with the individual’s details and often bearing an artistic design.

In 19th century England, the caller or the footmen accompanying the caller (if he or she was very important) would deliver the visiting cards to the servants of their prospective hosts, introducing the arrival of the card bearer. Anyone who was obsessed with The Gilded Age on HBO might remember some of the ladies presenting their calling cards to the butler of the home they were visiting.

Card cases were introduced at this time to hold these calling cards which were an essential element of the social interaction. Ladies were expected to always carry their cards in a card case.

The early card cases were made of silver and leather with fine gilt tooling. The earliest French cases, c1760, were made of gold, silver and enamel, sometimes with ivory panels or beadwork. Eventually they were made in a variety of materials, including silver, gold, ivory, enamel, mother of pearl and tortoiseshell.

Most card cases had a lid that was hinged to one side, but there were a variety of other opening methods.

The use of visiting cards declined at the end of the 19th century, reducing demand for and consequently the production of card cases.

Here, you can see one of my new business cards in a case. This particular case is an unusual size, has a floral design on the front, tortoise around the sides, and a silk royal blue accordion center.

I love them mixed with museum bees and matchstrikers!

I love the mix of mother of pearl and abalone and adore the different designs.

I can’t decide which is my favorite - I love them all!

I was able to find quite a collection to feature in the shop and couldn’t be happier about it. What a unique gift for the person who has everything, or for someone very special in your life.