Dancing Card, 19th Century

The delicate article we can see in these images is a gold-plated silver dance card. It is a fine antique that dates from the 19th century and has survived to our days in quite good condition. As well as being a lovely piece this dance card is also a charming jewel, a symbol of bygone times. The article has a binding with two lids made of gold-plated silver and finely engraved with floral design. They protect a small notebook with white lined writing paper inside. The dance card comes with a charming mechanical pencil, also made of silver.All the pieces that make up this dance card are very well preserved. The lids bear a lovely hand-engraved decoration: the front one is adorned with flowery designs framed by chains, while the rear lid bears the same frame surrounding a central shield with the engraved initials J. P. This lid extends to one side and creates a flap that enters under a small plate attached to the front lid. It is a simple shutting system that still fulfills its duty, just as when it was made more than one hundred years ago.As stated before, inside the binding we can see a small lined notebook designed to record the names of the gentlemen waiting to dance with the dance cards owner. In order to do that, the card comes with a mechanical pencil: a nice hexagonal section silver article with a blue glass piece at its end. The pencil has an inner lead and can be used to write. On the other hand, the notebook is unused and keeps its outside blue fabric covering, the same that covers the inside of the silver lids.Nostalgic and haunting, this dance card is a charming piece that will delight any lover of romantic antiques.Measurements: Width: 6.2 cm/2.44 in. Height: 9.5 cm/3.7 in. Weighs 50 grames