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

ca.1830-1920

Gilded metal bouquet holder with mother of pearl handle. The vase is composed of enameled leaves and grape clusters intertwined with four tooled loops that attach to the ring-shaped neck, which connects the vase to the handle. Attached to the neck are two short lengths of chain. The first chain connects to a 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 second chain connects to a 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. The spindle handle is made from a luminescent mother of pearl. It has been turned, creating rings and bands as it tapers to a point. 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.