Posy Holder
Artist
Maker unknown
(European)
Datec. 1850
MediumBrass, glass, beads
DimensionsOverall: 2 3/4 × 2 1/2 × 1 7/8in. (7 × 6.4 × 4.8cm)
ClassificationsPERSONAL ARTIFACTS
Credit LineProctor Collection
Terms
Object numberPC. 703
DescriptionFour-sided brass posey holder on a chain with ring, mirror, blue beads on two sides, and painted sceneOn View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextA hand-held bouquet was considered an essential component of a well-dressed woman’s attire. Bouquets of neat, concentric, floral circles—edged with foliage, starched lace, or a paper frill—were known as posies, tussie-mussies, or nosegays.
Posy holders, made from a variety of materials, held the nosegays. Some were secured to clothing with a pin, while others, such as these examples, were on chains attached to finger rings. When a lady was busy with her hands, the bouquet would be left to dangle.
