

Not currently on display
Unknown
Mid-18th century
Dresden china, ivory and chased gold Right: H. 13.70 cm, W. 4.30 cm, D. 2.10 cm Left: H. 13 cm, W. 4.30 cm, D. 1.20 cm
Dance cards first appeared in the 18th century and were used by young women to note down the men with whom they wished to dance at a ball. Violins formed part of the dance bands that played at balls, so the choice of a violin shape for these dance cards is particularly apt. The decoration, which depicts cherubs playing musical instruments in a rural setting, also reflects this usage. The cover is made from Dresden china and protects several thin sheets of ivory on which the names of dance partners were written using a gold propelling pencil that was ingeniously concealed within the body of the violin. Hidden inside the neck is a bottle of smelling salts, with a stopper carved in the shape of a woman's head.