Fine Chinese Export Silver Filigree Card Case c.1870

A very fine Chinese filigree silver visiting card case with serpentine walls and lift off cover with ornate shaped inner flange. Each side with a base pattern of tight scrolls overlaid with flowering vines and central shaped panel of very tight filigree work. Overlaid onto these are very intricate, multi-layered vignettes, one with a dragon or sea serpent and a crab amongst the waves and the other with a complex arrangement of flowers and leaves. The walls have a fishscale type pattern and the top is applied with a vacant cartouche. A small plaque with maker's initial Mk sits at the top left corner of the dragon side, name unidentified but based in Canton.