Fine Continental Silver Spring Loaded Visiting Card Case

A very pretty and fine quality continental, probably Germany Hanau, silver card case, c.1890. A domed hinged cover has an embossed scene of 9 putti frolicking in the woods, some playing instruments, some dancing. The scene framed above with garlands with central ribbon. Beading around the edge and then smaller panels around the outside of garlands, flowers and a gardening/farming themed section at the bottom with ears of wheat, basket of flowers and hand tools of spades, rakes and sickles. The sides are all decorated with bright cut engraving. The hinge is sprung and the box pops wide open when lightly freed from its clasp and the inside is fully gilded. Under the bottom edge of the cover is a further strip of silver to hold the cards in place and this has also been decorated beautifully with vines and flowers so it is very pretty both open and closed. Marked to the base.

It measures 10cm (4") wide, 4.8cm (1 3/8") deep and 2.2cm (5/8") high. It weighs 68g/2.2ozt.

Condition is very good with no damage or repair. Very minor rubbing to the main decoration, just a touch here and there at the highest places along the dome. Most of the detail is perfectly clear. The rest of the decoration surrounding the main image, the sides and the under cover section are all excellent with minimal wear. The gilding is very good inside and the hinge and clasp work work perfectly, super spring mechanism and the clasp holds the box firmly shut.

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