A Ladies Mother of Pearl and Abalone Visiting Card Case c1880

Description

Heading : Mother of pearl and abalone card case
Date : c1880
Period : Victoria 
Origin : Birmingham. England
Decoration : Diamond panels of mother of pearl. framed with abalone. Silk lined
Size :  Height 9.0cm. width 5.5cms
Condition : Excellent. no damage and the spring released catch is in perfect working order
Restoration : None
Weight : 28 grams  

The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham was internationally recognised for this type of craftsmanship. Artisans supplied everyone form the Tsars or Russia to the New York elite. The “shellwork” business grew from the early 19th century in tandem with the jewellery sector and employed more than three hundred people at peak. The shells were all imported. mostly from the South Atlantic and Pacific and thus the location of Birmingham. being more that 100 miles from the sea. was itself insignificant. The industry was still supplied boat. drawn along the network of canals.