Gilt Tussie Mussie w/ Mesh Cup Mother of Pearl Shell Handle and Turquoise #J7460

• TYPE : Tussie Mussie

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.


Gilt Tussie Mussie w/ Mesh Cup Mother of Pearl Shell Handle and Turquoise #J7460


Gilt metal tussie mussie with mesh cup studded with five turquoise gems and a carved mother or pearl handle. The cup has four sections with a scalloped rim. There is a mesh ball shape with two applied leaves. Some of the tiny turquoise stones look like replacements.


The carved mother of pearl shell handle has a flower with leaves. It measures 4 7/8" long and 1 3/8" diameter of the cup. Good condition with some corroding of the metal (a little green by the leaves). It has the original chain with ring attached. Wow!



SKU#J7460.


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