<I>Bouquet holder, mesh with mother of pearl handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

Gilded brass bouquet holder with mother of pearl handle. The four-sided vase is stamped with a pierced screen of small flowers connected by linear elements. Bars across the top of the screen form the lip and meet at are architectural ornaments at the corners. The bottom corners are covered by curved fleur-dis-lis stamped with floral motifs and a large sphere is center between each below the screen. Near the top of the vase are two holes opposite one another for the floral pin. The looped end of the pin attaches to length of round link chain connected to the bottom of the vase. The pin would be inserted through the vase to pierce the stems of a bouquet in order to secure the flowers inside the holder. The neck, which connects the vase to the handle, is formed from multiple parts with an ornate openwork ring over-hanging a baluster on top of a band stamped with floral decoration on a background of vertical lines. The spindle handle is made from turned mother of pearl. Mother of pearl handles retained a cool feeling longer than some other materials; because of this, they were said to be appropriate for warmer months. Near the bottom, a band encircles the handle and connects a flat figure-8 ladder chain ending in finger ring with a stamped exterior. The ring would allow the bouquet holder to be worn from the finger or on a chatelaine at the waist to free the lady's hands while dancing.