<I>Bouquet holder, carnet-de-bal</I>

ca.1830-1920

Gilded metal carnet-de-bal bouquet holder with mother of pearl handle. The vase is formed in two tiers from a pierced screen comprised of stamped, small flowers connected by linear elements. Two textured-metal cords twisted around each other are applied to the lip of each tier. The neck, which connects the vase to the handle, is formed by stacked smooth bands with a loop attachment for a chain and floral pin. The pin would be inserted through the vase to pierce the stems of a bouquet in order to secure the flowers inside the holder. The spindle handle is made from turned mother of pearl. 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. Near the bottom, a band encircles the handle and connects a flat figure-8 ladder chain ending in twisted finger 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. Attached to the back of the bouquet holder is a small sheath for a pencil and five ivory panels behind a pierced metal cover. The owner could write the names of her upcoming partners for the dances at a ball on the ivory plaques making this a “carnet-de-bal” – meaning “dance card” – and bouquet holder in one.