The public spaces of upper and middle class homes in the late 19th centuries were designed for formal visiting. Card receivers such as these were placed on hall stands in the front entrance hall. From Illustrated Catalogue of the Busiest House in America, 1889.
If I saw one of these in an antique store, I would have no idea what is was. An interesting question to ask my students- “In 150 years, will people know what a smart phone is?”