<I>Bouquet holder, blue beads, mother of pearl handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

Gilded metal and blue bead bouquet holder with mother of pearl handle. The vase features a gilt cornucopia and is decorated with foliate forms with connecting loops of blue beads and four drops of blue glass balls with gilt chains and needle-like pendants. A series of pointed leaves dissolve into the spindle handle. At this point a chain is connected to ring attaches to the bouquet holder. 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. The handle is formed 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.