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

ca.1830-1920

Silver bouquet holder with mother of pearl handle. The openwork vase is comprised of large, spade-shaped leaves and tiny flowers. A short length of chain connects a floral pin to the base of the vase. 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 neck, which connects the vase to the handle, is hourglass-shaped with deep cast forms. A second length of chain connected to a ring is attached to the lower portion of the neck. 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. The curved handle is made from turned mother of pearl with a silver ring around it near the tip. 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.