Porcelain card cases are very rare, probably few were made and, due to their fragile nature, even fewer have survived.

This beautiful example dates from the early 19th century; its shaped form is pierced and decorated with cartouche panels with painted sprays of flowers within scrolling gilt-heightened pink borders.

This case was sold by Philips Auctions in 1997 for £600 (around £700 with commission). In today's market is would be worth several times that.

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