Kate Greenaway Card Case by Sampson Mordan

This is a most charming Victorian silver card case by Sampson Mordan in the Kate Greenaway style. The scene to the front is applied and in high relief. It shows a young boy and girl playing with snails on top of a brick wall. The scene is cornered by four flowers. Kate Greenaway was a 19th century writer and illustrator of children's books. Her "children" are very distinctive for wearing romantic, traditional costume.

The obverse shows an applied coat-of-arms supported by two lion rampant and surmounted by a coronet of a marquess: it too is cornered by the same four applied flowers. The interior is gilt and has two attractive hinged and pierced clips for holding calling/business cards in place - both sides will hold cards measuring up to 85mm x 55mm.

This superb quality card case has a very solid feel in the hand and is in superb condition. The full set of hallmarks are spread between the two halves of the case. This is a truly outstanding card case by a top maker.