In the early 19th century etiquette dictated that upper class ladies and gentlemen should carry a visiting card, also known as a calling card, being a small paper card, about the size of present day business cards, 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.

Card cases solely for the purpose of holding visiting cards were introduced at this time and etiquette dictated that ladies should always carry their cards in a card case, although it was acceptable for a gentleman to carry his cards in the breast pocket of his jacket.

Reflecting the fact that card cases were mainly used by ladies, the designs were feminine in more...

60 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Black forest card case, 19th century. Finely carved hardwood…

Black forest card case, 19th century. Finely carved hardwood case with flowers, foliage and church buildings

An Victorian mother-of-pearl card-case, English circa 1880,…

An Victorian mother-of-pearl card-case, English circa 1880, width 10 cm, depth 8 cm,

A gold card case, Rectangular hinged and polished form with…

A gold card case, Rectangular hinged and polished form with engraved initial, suspended from fetter link chain and jump ring, crafted in 9ct gold, total weight 45.9gms.

A gold card case, Of square hinged form, having engine turned…

A gold card case, Of square hinged form, having engine turned decoration and a cabochon sapphire push button, crafted in 14ct gold, total weight 36.3gms.

A gold card case, Octagonal hinged form with engine turned and…

A gold card case, Octagonal hinged form with engine turned and engraved decoration, having a sapphire cabochon push clasp, crafted in 14ct gold, total weight 59.80gms.

An antique Australian gold card holder, Rectangular hinged form,…

An antique Australian gold card holder, Rectangular hinged form, engraved initials to the polished case, crafted in 9ct gold, retailed by P Proud, total weight 38.90gms.

A Louis Vuitton monogram Glace Organiser de Poche card case.…

Louis Vuitton Monogram Glace Card Case - 2005 Production

A Louis Vuitton monogram Glace Organiser de Poche card case. Made in France. Features brown monogram leather exterior with a back exterior slip pocket. Interior features smooth leather lining with five card slots. Dimensions 11 x 7.5 cm. Date code MI0015.…

Antique 9ct gold open top card case stamped 9ct verso. 25gms…

9ct Gold Open Top Card Case - Antique

Antique 9ct gold open top card case stamped 9ct verso. 25gms approx.

Kta 14ct yellow gold Swiss card case, Art Deco decoration 50g…

Art Deco Swiss Gold Card Case - 50g Solid

Kta 14ct yellow gold Swiss card case, Art Deco decoration 50g solid

Vintage embossed leather playing card case decorated leather…

Embossed Leather Playing Card Case

Vintage embossed leather playing card case decorated leather case, with lined interior for 2 packs of playing cards, width 16 cm

A 9ct gold card case, applied with letters 'Lm cm' within a…

Gold Card Case with Monogram and Wreath Design

A 9ct gold card case, applied with letters 'Lm cm' within a wreath surround, size 83 x 57 x 8.5 mm, marks for Edwards & Sons, hallmarked Birmingham 1912, wt. 48.62g.

Two Victorian mother-of-pearl card cases, rectangular form,…

Pair of Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Card Cases

Two Victorian mother-of-pearl card cases, rectangular form, each with concertina cobalt blue interior, tone with and abalone panels to front and back. Each 10.5 x 7.5 cm.

A gold card box, of rectangular form with engine turned…

14ct Gold Engine-Turned Card Box with Engraved Initials

A gold card box, of rectangular form with engine turned decoration, the plain interior cover engraved 'Gh', gross weight approximately 74.90 grams, mounted in 14ct gold, measuring 5.50 x 4.80 x 1.10 cm.

An Austrian black and gold enamel card case, first half 20th…

Austrian Enamel Card Case with Black and Gold Design

An Austrian black and gold enamel card case, first half 20th century, 8 x 5.5 cm

Silver-gilt cloisonne card case. The front depicting the King…

Silver-gilt Cloisonne Card Case with Playing Card Designs

Silver-gilt cloisonne card case. The front depicting the King of clubs, with the Queen of Hearts verso. Spurious marks for Fedor Ruckert. Height 10 cm, W327g)

Vintage Chinese intricately carved bone card case

Intricate Chinese Bone Card Case

Vintage Chinese intricately carved bone card case

A diamond, sapphire and gold card case, the reeded case with…

Diamond and Sapphire Gold Card Case

A diamond, sapphire and gold card case, the reeded case with brilliant-cut diamond and sapphire oval cartouch and cabochon sapphire clasp, stamped 585, weight 67.5gm, 8.0 x 5.7 cm.

A tourmaline card case by Bottega Veneta, styled in black…

Bottega Veneta Tourmaline Leather Card Case

A tourmaline card case by Bottega Veneta, styled in black leather with gunmetal hardware, 18 x 9 cm.

Vintage leather card case with a 9ct gold shield to the centre

Gold Shield Vintage Leather Card Case

Vintage leather card case with a 9ct gold shield to the centre

Edwardian brass card case with engraved decorations

Engraved Brass Card Case

Edwardian brass card case with engraved decorations

A French burr walnut card case with an 18ct rose gold cabochon…

Burr Walnut Card Case with Rose Gold Clasp & Sapphire

A French burr walnut card case with an 18ct rose gold cabochon sapphire clasp, some cracks & repair, 8.5 x 6 cm

A Victorian mother-of-pearl card case, traditional diamond…

Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Card Case with Abalone Inlay

A Victorian mother-of-pearl card case, traditional diamond sections with star form abalone inlay to the front, blue fitted sectional interior, in original box.

A whalebone card case, mid 19th century, 9 cm x 5 cm

Mid 19th Century Whalebone Card Case

A whalebone card case, mid 19th century, 9 cm x 5 cm

Three Anglo Indian Saedli card cases, 19th century, each…

19th Century Anglo Indian Inlaid Saedli Card Cases

Three Anglo Indian Saedli card cases, 19th century, each intricately inlaid with geometric mosaics, 10 cm, 9.8 cm and 9.6 cm high

Australian 9ct rose gold card case C1880-1920, stamped 9ct, 41…

Australian 9ct Rose Gold Card Case (C1880-1920)

Australian 9ct rose gold card case C1880-1920, stamped 9ct, 41 grams

A Victorian mother-of-pearl card case, push-button release, the…

Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Card Case with Multiple Compartments

A Victorian mother-of-pearl card case, push-button release, the interior with multiple card compartments. 11 cm x 7.5 cm.

A rare Victorian Scottish shield form card case, the front with…

Victorian Scottish Shield Form Card Case

A rare Victorian Scottish shield form card case, the front with an applied high relief Knight's armorial, the sectional shield with knight's helmet above and crested with the Catholic sacramental as a paschal lamb. Finely scroll engraved borders, the…

A hand decorated Continental porcelain card case, 20th century,…

Floral Porcelain Card Case with Gilt Metal Mounts

A hand decorated Continental porcelain card case, 20th century, the rectangular case with rounded edges decorated with roses, blue stripes and gilt lattice, with gilt metal mounts and a floral clasp; unmarked, length 7.5 cm, width 6 cm

A Victorian flip-top card case, similar to above. Provenance:…

Victorian Flip-Top Card Case from Flower Family Collection

A Victorian flip-top card case, similar to above. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

A Victorian flip-top card case, similar to above. Provenance:…

Victorian Flip-Top Card Case from Flower Family Collection

A Victorian flip-top card case, similar to above. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

A 9 carat gold engine turned Visiting card case, 1920…

Gold Engine Turned Visiting Card Case by William Neale & Son

A 9 carat gold engine turned Visiting card case, 1920 Birmingham, .375 stamp, maker's mark for William Neale & Son, the slender curved case with an angled hinged lid and vacant circular cartouche; hallmarked to the interior rim, gold weight 33gr, height 4…

A finely carved Anglo-Indian sandalwood card case, late 19th to…

Anglo-Indian Sandalwood Card Case with Exquisite Carvings

A finely carved Anglo-Indian sandalwood card case, late 19th to 20th century, exquisitely carved to both faces with birds and foliage to the upper register, a trio of snakes and flora to the lower register, d the central panels with a celestial half bird…

A Victorian engraved mother-of-pearl card case, engraved floral…

Victorian Engraved Mother-of-Pearl Card Case with Floral Decoration

A Victorian engraved mother-of-pearl card case, engraved floral decoration.

Antique inlaid timber card case, with figural decoration to…

Antique Inlaid Figural Card Case

Antique inlaid timber card case, with figural decoration to centre, 12 cm x 9 cm

MOP calling card case engraved floral decoration

Engraved Floral MOP Calling Card Case

MOP calling card case engraved floral decoration

Indian Cedarwood card case having central medallions of deities…

Indian Cedarwood Card Case with Deity Medallions

Indian Cedarwood card case having central medallions of deities to each side, surrounded by finely carved leaves, with a slide in cover. Condition: good, slight dent to one corner, 11 x 7.4 x 1.4 cm

Two Tartanware card cases Scottish, circa 1880, one labelled…

Scottish Tartanware Card Cases, McPherson & Clan Stuart Labels

Two Tartanware card cases Scottish, circa 1880, one labelled McPherson 11 cm long, the other labelled Clan Stuart 8.7 cm long

A Bearn card case by Hermes, styled in blue jean leather with…

Blue Jean Hermes Bearn Card Case with Palladium Hardware

A Bearn card case by Hermes, styled in blue jean leather with palladium metal hardware, 7 x 10 x 1.5 cm

Mother-of-pearl and Abalone card case, of rectangular shape,…

Rectangular Mother-of-Pearl Card Case

Mother-of-pearl and Abalone card case, of rectangular shape, height 1.2 cm width 7.8 cm

A Victorian mother-of-pearl calling card case, 19th century,…

Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Calling Card Case

A Victorian mother-of-pearl calling card case, 19th century, the hinged case with a diagonally set mother-of-pearl tile design. Length 10.5 cm. Width 8 cm

Antique fern ware card case 10 cm high approx

Antique Fern Ware Card Case

Antique fern ware card case 10 cm high approx

Antique fern ware card case 10 cm high approx

Antique Fern Ware Card Case

Antique fern ware card case 10 cm high approx

A gold case, the rectangular hinged case having finely chased…

18ct Gold Chased Rectangular Hinged Case with Push Clasp

A gold case, the rectangular hinged case having finely chased decoration and push clasp, in 18ct gold, 65 mm x 73 mm. Condition: Continental marks to the interior base lip of the case. Total weight 80.9gms.

A French rosewood and inlaid card case. 10 cm high, 11.5 cm…

French Rosewood Inlaid Card Case, 10x11.5cm

A French rosewood and inlaid card case. 10 cm high, 11.5 cm long.

A card case with sliding lid decorated with porcupine spines…

Porcupine Spine and Bone Medallion Card Case

A card case with sliding lid decorated with porcupine spines and medallions of bone, 22 cm long, 10 cm wide. Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, Melbourne. NB:

A whalebone card case, c1830s. 8.5 x 5 cm. Note: This lot has…

Whalebone Card Case, c1830s

A whalebone card case, c1830s. 8.5 x 5 cm. Note: This lot has been identified at the time of cataloguing as containing organic material which may be subject to restrictions regarding export

A plain playing card case, of box form with hinged lid.…

Antique Birmingham Playing Card Case

A plain playing card case, of box form with hinged lid. Birmingham 1901 by Henry Matthews. 9.6 cm x 7 cm x 22.

Card case, pierced whalebone, 19th century. 9 x 5 cm

19th Century Whalebone Card Case

Card case, pierced whalebone, 19th century. 9 x 5 cm

A diamond, gem-set and silk brocaded evening clutch bag,…

Cartier Evening Clutch with Diamond and Gem-Set Clasp

A diamond, gem-set and silk brocaded evening clutch bag, Cartier, circa 1930 the clutch decorated with a gold and rose pink foliate pattern, the interior with pink satin lining, completed by a diamond and red gem-set clasp, including a lighter, signed…

Antique Tunbridge ware card case

Tunbridge Ware Antique Card Case

Antique Tunbridge ware card case

Antique Tunbridge ware card case

Tunbridge Ware Card Case

Antique Tunbridge ware card case

Vintage Tartan Ware card case with Stuart tartan pattern, 10.5…

Stuart Tartan Vintage Card Case

Vintage Tartan Ware card case with Stuart tartan pattern, 10.5 cm long approx.

Inlaid bone card case, approx 8 cm x 10 cm

Bone Inlaid Card Case

Inlaid bone card case, approx 8 cm x 10 cm

A French amboyna card case and a painted card case, the amboyna…

French Amboyna & Painted Card Cases

A French amboyna card case and a painted card case, the amboyna card case with a hinged top, with enclosing compartments, the painted case with fabric interior. Each 8 cm high.

Inlaid sandalwood visiting card case from Vizagapatam-late 19th.…

Sandalwood Visiting Card Case from Vizagapatam (19th Century)

Inlaid sandalwood visiting card case from Vizagapatam-late 19th.century

Lord Harris' visiting card case: mother-of-pearl and…

Lord Harris' Cricket-Themed Visiting Card Case

Lord Harris' visiting card case: mother-of-pearl and hand-painted visiting card case (78 x 102 x 9 mm), decorated with cricket scene on one side, and portrait of Lord Harris on the other side, with initials 'Hon Grch' (Harris' initials). Beautiful cricket…

A Victorian lady's shell inlaid card case, late 19th century,…

Victorian Shell Inlaid Card Case

A Victorian lady's shell inlaid card case, late 19th century, of hinged form and with a diamond pattern inlay of mother-of-pearl and abalone shell, with a petite button release catch to the side and lined with original red fabric. Length 9 cm. Width 5.5…

An Edwardian mother-of-pearl and abalone card case, the lid…

Mother-of-Pearl Card Case with Silk Concertina Section

An Edwardian mother-of-pearl and abalone card case, the lid opens to reveal a silk concertina section for individual cards.

An Edwardian mother-of-pearl and abalone (paua) card case,…

Mother-of-Pearl and Abalone Card Case

An Edwardian mother-of-pearl and abalone (paua) card case, rectangular form, the exterior with alternating diamonds of mother-of-pearl and abalone.

Intricately carved Chinesel wooden card case

Chinese Wooden Card Case with Intricate Carvings

Intricately carved Chinesel wooden card case