<I>Bouquet holder, female figure with tobacco leaf pattern, looped handle</I>

ca. 1830-1920

Stamped silver-plated copper bouquet holder formed of four identical female figures and tobacco leaf repeats. Each is dressed in a headdress, necklace, and flowing skirt with boots, and are likely meant to depict the stylized ideal of the "Indian maidens" of the Americas held by Europeans. A wire loop clip for attachment to clothing is soldered to the back of the vase. The looped, or rat-tail, handle is made from a single sheet stamped with a scaly pattern produced by seven encircled dots. The handle terminates with a tiny stamped flower. There is also a ring near the bottom for attachment of chain, but it is missing. The chain would connect to a pin to secure the flowers in place, or a finger ring that would allow the bouquet holder to be worn from the finger or on a chatelaine in order to free the lady's hands while dancing.