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

ca.1830-1920

Silver bouquet holder with straight handle. The funnel-shaped vase is comprised of a pierced design of stamped flowers, leaves, berries, and vines. 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 terminates 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 straight hexagonal handle is etched with linear designs and capped with small ball finial.