<I>Boquet holder, mirrored, mother of pearl handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

Gilded brass bouquet holder with mirrors and mother of pearl handle. The vase is four-sided, two of which features a central oval mirror surrounded by beaded stamped frames above a large leaf. These alternate with smaller, oval frames that are left empty. They are connected to the base by a wire that encloses them within a teardrop shaped loop. A short length of round-link chain connected to a loop-ended floral pin attaches to one of the structural wires near the middle 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. Below, the vase attaches to the handle with six petals textured with crisscrossing lines and droops over the neck band. The tapered handle is spindle shaped, 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. The shaft of the handle narrows slightly with incised rings stacked along the bottom. Near the tip of the handle a is a looped a link which would attach a chain and ring. 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.