№ 2934

Printed Hungarian paper dance card in ornate gold metal case

Dance cards were also highly favored in the 19th century. There were strict rules to be followed to ask someone to dance at a ball. On her dance card, a lady would enter the name of her dancing partner for a certain dance, but the gentleman would first have to ask permission from her chaperone. You were expected to know quite a bit of dance, otherwise you would not have been well educated. Dance cards were often made for a special ball, such as the New Year's ball, which the woman received as a gift.
Hungary, 1888