<I>Bouquet holder, carved flowers, red shaft</I>

ca.1830-1920

A small gilt vase bouquet holder. The vase is composed of a repeating pattern of leaves separated into two registers by a border of quatrefoils. It is contained by a band around the lip of the vase. Three delicate flower blossoms carved in red ivory are applied to the vase. It connects to the handle with a small wreath of leaves and a ring engraved with a scrolling design. A pin on a thick chain connects to the band. This would be inserted to pierce the flower stems in the vase in order to keep them in place. The handle is turned ivory tinted red. A similar thin band clasps a ring on a chain to the base of the shaft, so that the bouquet holder may be worn about the finger or attached to a chatelaine at the waist.