Four 19th Century Viennese Dance Cards with Unusual Themes

Live Auction

The unique miniature objects were presented to each attendee at one of annual celebrated Vienna balls, serving both as a theme memorabilia of the event and as a functional "dance card" as each originally would have a list of dances attached on which a suitor could claim his dance with the lady. Included are 2" metal and brass dome-shaped object which was designed to open at the side (dance cards visible inside, but now sealed) and with original tassel and skirt hook; 4" metal and wooden hammed like tool with wrapped rope and metal emblem, and with original green velvet tassels and dangling leather dance card with gilt lettering for ball of Section Graz in 1898; 4" silk-covered book with Art Nouveau style lettering, and unusual hieroglyphic style lettering on interior pages; and 1 3/4"h. silver metal footed bowl with brass snake coiled around the pedestal, which attached tassels (dance card missing). Excellent condition except as noted. Vienna, mid/late 1800s.