English 1867 Sterling Tussie Mussie with Tripod Base Hand Chased (#J7458)

• BRAND : Thomas Smiley
• TYPE : Tussie Mussie
• REGION : United Kingdom
• MATERIAL : Silver
• COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : United Kingdom
• 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.


English 1867 Sterling Tussie Mussie with Tripod Base Hand Chased (#J7458)


Sterling tussie mussie hallmarked for London in 1867 by Thomas Smily. The tussie is hand chased and engraved with flowers and leaves. The flower shaped cup has a scalloped rim. There are three partial gilt legs connected with chains to stand as a tripod. It measures 4 1/2" long and 1 3/8" diameter of the cup. Very good condition. There are two pins for holding flowers in the cup. Fantastic piece!



SKU#J7458.


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