<I>Bouquet holder, fox, grapes, and basket motif</I>

Henry Jenkins and Sons · ca. 1869-1880

Silver and gold plated, red brass bouquet holder with fox, grapes, and basket motif and a spade handle. The funnel-shaped vase of the holder is created of two stamped repeats of the pattern, which features a fox perched on volute forms. The howling fox appears in front of vase in a basket-weave pattern with grapes on the vine encircling the lip of the vase. The neck of the vase is stamped with wild foliate motifs atop two acanthus leaves. These leaves flank the join of the spade handle and the point where two twisted curb chains are attached. The first chain connects to pin that would be inserted through a hole in the vase, piercing the stems of a bouquet, and securing them inside. The second chain attaches to ring that 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. This vase design matches the English metalwork registration No. 258692, Dec. 14, 1871, Henry Jenkins & Sons, "Ornamental Design to be repeated and continued for Baskets & etc."