Antique 18th century French Calling Card Case, Aide d'Memoire, Ivory and Cut Steel Pique "Visites"
Closing out a lifetime of lovely little French antiques, this one is 18th century to early 19th century and is made of ivory, accented by pique of cut steel noting it is a visiting or calling card case in its era. Imperfect but charming, it recalls an era's habits long long ago. It might have once had a silk notepad with accordion-fold pocket into which calling cards would have fit, perhaps a little intaglio printed annual calendar, but it came to me with just retainers of a pressed 4-leaf clover which remains. Measurements noted on photos. Very good condition for age and type, but not quite perfect. Both front and back halves of the little case are without crack or damage, but there ought to be a center fitting on bottom like those on top, which close evenly with the other 2 to form a tube into which a stylus or pencil slips and forms a closure, clasp. That one part is missing. All of the delicate and sized pique of silver or steel is in place, translates to 'visits' which tells us it