Antique Calling Card Case, Necessaire, Tortoise Shell, Ivory & French Sterling Silver, Victorian Tortoiseshell serving flatware all captured here in needlework

all captured here in needlework portrait

and upon which is the signature of the young girl who completed this complicated and wonderful embroidery

The lining is missing entirely in this one

kiln-fired in between

Antique Calling Card Case, Necessaire, Tortoise Shell, Ivory & French Sterling Silver, Victorian Tortoiseshell serving flatware all captured here in needleworkThe opulent beauty of French sterling silver against the mottled dark chocolate to cognac coloration of the old shell is just stunning, and never more so than in this card case and 'necessaire' combo etui. Actually the Victorian era forerunner to today's iPhone or Blackberry, the case would have housed calling cards, and has an ivory wafer fitted with its own stylus for note taking, contacts and itinerary at a glance. Sure, we've come a long way,