<I>Bouquet holder, crown vase, mother of pearl handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

Gilded brass with enamel bouquet holder with glass handle. The vase is formed with a crown-like rim band held up with seven pairs of spear-shaped elements. The crown portion is embellished with ornate Gothic Revival motifs with white and blue enamel. There are two holes, opposite one another, near the top for the floral pin connected by a round-link chain to the base 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 lower portion of the vase is stamped with a beaded rim around a column of graduated hemispheres encircled by gadrooning. The neck, which connects the vase to the handle, is in the form of a baluster above a circle of horseshoe shaped elements drooping over a neck band stamped with a floral motif on vertical-line background. The tapered 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 tip of the handle, there is a gold ring that probably held chain with ring, which no longer present.