Rare Eiffel Tower Silver Art Nouveau Dance Card

A bygone ballroom accessory of the 18th and 19th century, dance cards were used to keep track of dance partners, first appearing in Vienna before trending across the rest of Europe and the US. Think of it like the modern-equivalent of taking down someone’s phone number (or Instagram handle) at a party.

Dance cards were generally a lady’s accessory, while the gentlemen in attendance were expected to remember who they’d requested to dance – and who they might call on the following day in hopes of a continued courtship.

Dance cards made elegant party gifts too, often provided upon arrival by the the ball’s host, who would have cards pre-printed the evening’s program. For young debutantes, they became memorable keepsakes of the social season.

As dance cards became more popular, demand prompted manufacturers and local artisans to diversify the lady’s courting tool into veritable objets d’art, using precious jewels and materials like silver, ivory and porcelain in all manner of decorative forms. 

Dance cards remained in use well into the 1920s before entirely disappearing from the social scene. With the Jazz Age came more spontaneous dance numbers like the Foxtrot and the Charleston, and the formalities of 19th century social etiquette subsided as a new generation openly rejected traditional Victorian ideals. 

But there is one little memento of the forgotten dance card that has carried over into modern-day use. When using the common phrase “to pencil someone in”, it’s an expression that derives directly from the lost romance of promising someone a dance at the ball.

The silver-cased notebook still contains notes on its pages written by the original owner and a miniature pencil. We have added a pink velvet ribbon, to be work as a necklace or to hang somewhere special. 

Dimensions: 6cm x 4.5cm