<I>Bouquet holder, feather motif, mother of pearl handle</I>

ca.1830-1920

The long, narrow vase of the bouquet holder is formed in gilded metal. It is composed of four arrows with feather shafts. The points of each arrow are attached to the base as if they are piercing it. The base forms a ring that holds a spindle handle carved of mother of pearl, as well as connecting a pin on a chain to the piece. 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. The shaft of the handle narrows slightly with incised rings stacked along the bottom. A ring on a chain is attached to the handle so that the bouquet holder may be worn about the finger or attached to a chatelaine.