<I>Bouquet holder, enamel decoration, mother of pearl handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

Gilded metal bouquet holder with mother of pearl handle. The funnel-shaped vase is comprised of pierced Rococo Revival motifs with faint blue and white enamel decoration. Two short lengths of chain are attached to the base of the vase. The first attaches to a floral pin, which would be inserted through the vase to pierce the stems of a bouquet in order to secure the flowers inside the holder. The second chain would have terminated in a 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 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.