Asian Silver Gilt Tussie Mussie Posey Posy Holder w/ Garnets Turquoise (#J1244)

• TYPE : Tussie Mussie
• COLOR : Gold, Turquoise, Red
• STYLE : Victorian
• MATERIAL : Gilt Brass, Enamel
• AGE : 1850-1899

The term tussie mussie dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria who was fond of carrying these little floral bouquets wherever she went. When carrying them caught the eye of the wealthy and middle class, holders were copied and mass produced. The tussie mussies and the decorative posy holders they were held in became a popular fashion accessory in Victorian times for young ladies to hold flowers brought by courting gentlemen callers. They were a popular gift and carried by matrons, debutantes, and girls. By the 1830s, using decorative holders to contain these small bouquets became an established fashion trend. The posy holders were created to keep delicate and expensive silk dresses and other pieces of clothing protected from water droplets when wearing a tussie mussie. The floral bouquet was pinned into the holder, and then for a formal occasion would be suspended from her hand using a chain so that she was free to dance. A "tussie" is a nosegay, a small group of flowers held together in a little bouquet and that was held at nose level, and "mussie" refers to the moss that was moistened and put around the stems of the flowers to keep them from wilting.


Asian Silver Gilt Tussie Mussie Posey Posy Holder w/ Garnets Turquoise (#J1244)


Stunning Asian or Indian silver gilt tussie with garnets and turquoise. The handle is the form of a face with a white cabochon stone in the mouth. There are four faces on sides of the tussie. There are four larger carved turquoise heads and five smaller turquoise cabochons. (Note: One of the small stones is chipped).


There are strands of dark red garnet bead swags around the top of the cup and as a chain for the pin. There are two oval garnet cabochons. It also has the finger ring on a chain. It measures 6" long, and the top of the cup measures 2 3/8" by 2". There is a little blue and white enamel, most is missing. Heavy weight, solid piece. It dates from about 1880-1900. Gorgeous!


SKU#J1244.


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