{"product_id":"19th-century-tortoiseshell-ivory-bone-carnet-de-bal-dance-card-with-silver-cartouche-and-chain","title":"19th Century Tortoiseshell \u0026 Ivory\/Bone Carnet de Bal \/ Dance Card with Silver Cartouche and Chain","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem: 19th Century Tortoiseshell \u0026amp; Ivory Carnet de Bal \/ Dance Card with Silver Cartouche and Chain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautifully preserved 19th-century carnet de bal, or dance card, fashioned from richly mottled tortoiseshell and fitted with a fan of small ivory writing tablets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe petite rectangular case is formed from scalloped tortoiseshell covers in deep brown, black, amber, and honey tones. The front is embellished with an elegant silver cartouche, left unmonogrammed, while the upper edge is fitted with a small metal pivot and original suspension chain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpening the case reveals a series of thin ivory tablets that fan outward from the side binding. These smooth leaves were designed to be written upon in pencil, allowing a lady to record the names of dance partners and the order of dances during a formal ball. The tablets are secured by a coiled metal binding along one side, giving the object both flexibility and a wonderfully tactile quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving chain allowed the carnet to be worn from the wrist or attached to a chatelaine, making it both practical and decorative. Its compact scale and jewel-like materials make it a particularly charming example of the fashionable personal accessories associated with 19th-century European social life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCirca 1850–1880\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContinental European, likely French or English\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject Type\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarnet de bal \/ dance card \/ aide-mémoire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Tortoiseshell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Ivory writing tablets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Silver or silver-colored metal cartouche\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Metal spiral binding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Suspension chain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA carnet de bal was a small notebook or tablet carried by women attending formal balls. Its leaves were used to record promised dances and the names of partners throughout the evening.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the 19th century, these practical objects had become fashionable accessories in their own right and were often made from luxury materials including tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl, silver, enamel, and gold. Many were suspended from the wrist or attached to a chatelaine so they could remain close at hand during a dance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe smooth ivory tablets could be written on in pencil and often erased for reuse, making this type of carnet both functional and highly personal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarks \/ Inscriptions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnengraved silver cartouche to front.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo visible maker’s mark observed in the photographs provided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease add:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e___” H × ___” W × ___” D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood antique condition considering the delicate construction and age. The tortoiseshell retains rich coloration and attractive translucency with expected surface scratches, rubbing, and minor edge wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ivory tablets show age-related toning, surface marks, graphite traces, and wear consistent with use. The metal spiral binding and chain show expected oxidation and darkening. The silver cartouche exhibits light rubbing and surface wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContinental Europe, mid-to-late 19th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisclaimers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tortoiseshell and ivory identifications are based on visual examination and have not been scientifically tested.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth tortoiseshell and elephant ivory are regulated wildlife materials. Sale, shipment, and export may be restricted depending on jurisdiction. International shipment should not be offered without confirming applicable CITES and other legal requirements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe silver cartouche has not been tested for fineness and is therefore described conservatively unless hallmarks are identified.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50628246175999,"sku":null,"price":260.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/7FB750D2-3392-448F-B340-B3DC14558073.png?v=1791562578","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/es\/products\/19th-century-tortoiseshell-ivory-bone-carnet-de-bal-dance-card-with-silver-cartouche-and-chain","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}