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

ca.1830-1920

Silver bouquet holder with looped handle. The vase is formed from chased bouquets of flowers interspersed with leaves. The handle begins with a closed blossom and leaves, the stem of which loops up and curls around the base creating a ring. Near the top of the handle a short length of chain connected to a loop-ended floral pin, and a second broken chain, which would have connected to a ring are attached. The pin would be inserted through the vase to pierce the stems of a bouquet in order to secure the flowers inside the holder, and 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.