This is an English, late Georgian / Regency period calling card case, made of Tortoiseshell veneer with mother of pearl & Silver inlays and ivory facings, and dating to around the 1830's - 40's.

The case is rectangular in form with a hinged lid, which is opened via a push button to one edge.

The case is veneered to all facings in a stunning blond tortoiseshell, with the front & rear having a trailing foliate & floral design consisting of mother of pearl inlays for the flowers & leaves, & Silver pique or stringing for the branches.

The interior of the case has natural ivory facings, & is lined with a woven pink material.

The top of the lid has a small Silver cartouche, which has been engraved, in period script, with 'Mrs Gordon', almost certainly the cases original owner.

The opening & hinge on the case are good although, as is normal with this type & age of case, there is some sideways play to the lid where the hinge fitting has loosened over it's 180 years.

Condition is Fine, there is a tiny sliver of tortoiseshell missing from the edge of the lid (next to the hinge & very difficult to see), & there has been a very old and very small repair to one corner of the base (a very small piece of veneer has been reglued, & only the join can be seen under a loupe).

The inlay work is Fine, the engraved MOP panels are all present & in excellent condition. There is a little Silver stringing missing from only one side of the case, although this is minor, easily replaced (unlike MOP panels), & does not detract.

The case measures approx 4 1/8" long by 3" wide (approx 10.5 cm x 7.7 cm).

Overall, a very fine late Georgian / Regency case, in good original condition.