Incredible Boxed Tussie Mussie Posey Posy Holder with Bird (#J1317)

• COMPOSITION : Sterling Silver (.925)
• TYPE : Tussie Mussie
• STYLE : Victorian
• 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.


Incredible Boxed Tussie Mussie Posey Posy Holder with Bird (#J1317)


A Victorian sterling silver tussie mussie in the original presentation box. The leatheretted box has royal blue satin interior. The tussie has rose gold and yellow gold partial gilt accents. It is hand engraved or bright cut with Japaneseque plants, flowers, a bird, and geometric design. It has two bands of applied silver. It measures 5 1/2" long. Has the attached pin and chain, missing the ring. It dates from the 1870s. Extraordinary!


SKU#J1317.


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