<I>Bouquet holder, flower motif</I>

ca.1830-1920

Silver bouquet holder with straight handle. The vase is shaped like an inverted bell with three layers. The widest portion if the vase, the lip, is formed from two repeats of an imitation-granulation design of swirls, teardrop shapes, leaves, and beading. Below the rim are two layers of a repeating pattern of machine-cut designs around a central panel aligned with the shape of its stamped with a floral spray. There is a large hole in the bottommost section of the vase for a floral pin. 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 a hemispherical shape acting as a cap for the top of the bell-shaped vase. Attached to the join below this is a round-link chain that is connected to a simple 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. The handle is hexagonal with panels stamped with a column of foliate motifs facing in alternating directions. A large-ball finial completes the design.