<I>Bouquet holder, bird motif, spade handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

Silver bouquet holder with spade handle. The openwork vase features a design of four birds nestled among grape leaves and vines. The neck, which connects the vase to the handle, is formed from acanthus leaves that splay outward on either side. A short length of chain connected to a finger ring attaches to this point. 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 in a Gothic Revival trefoil shape that incorporates acanthus leaves on the inner and outer surfaces.