Elegant ivory card holders like this were specially ordered by foreign traders in China. Based on carved wooden examples from Europe, they were used to hold and display the calling cards required by the etiquette of the time to annouce visits to private home of a friend or acquaintance.The shelves of this one are inttricately carved with scenes of scholars and ladies at leisure, with dragon-head supports at the sides. The back plate is also profusely decorated in finely carved openwork. At the top is the crest of a family named Caunter, who were British government officials in 19th century Penang.
