By: Rodica Stătescu

Source: INTERNET

Automatic transition

Music: Andre Rieu

POSY HOLDER TUSSIE MUSSIE

silver posy holder (silver tussie mussie) is a type of funnel-shaped

container for holding a posy (a flowerv or a nosegay), basically

intended to be worn attached to a dress. The handle may be of ivory, amber, porcelain, mother-of-pearl.

The posy is secured by a pin across the mouth of the funnel and the holder is attached to the dress

by a pin or hook.Some examples have, attached by a chain, a finger-ring for use when held by hand and some are made

as a brooch.In earlier times before sanitation

and concerns with personal hygiene, the nosegays were

carried to superstitiously ward off disease or to camouflage the

unpleasant smells of the street. Later in the 19th and early 20th

centuries they were romanticized as a fashion accessory for young ladies to hold the flowers brought by courting 'gentleman callers'.

Le porte-bouquet est un accessoire de mode qui fut

couramment employé, depuis  le XVIe siècle et tout au long du

XIXe siècle. Accessoire de parure, il évolua avec les modes vestimentaires. Leur forme est le

plus souvent délicate et leur matière peut être composée de

nacre, d'ivoire, d'écaille, d'opaline, d'argent ou d'or, de perles et de corail  et pierres

précieuses.Apparu au XVI siècle car l'usage des soirées mondaines voulait

que les femmes tiennent à la fois un bouquet de fleurs, un

éventail, un carnet de bal et un mouchoir, le tout d'une seule

main, l'autre étant consacrée à leur cavalier.

Le porte-bouquet fut originellement un objet utilitaire,

constitué d'une petit vase prolongé par un manche, parfois

tenu par la main de la dame grâce à une chaînette et à un

anneau passé à un doigt. Aussi, pour cause de praticabilité,

certains porte-bouquet, pouvait être associé à un petit miroir, à un carnet de bal,  à un flacon de

parfum, à un éventail.

To show her acceptance of him, she skewered the flowers into the posy holder with a long pin and wore the holder to a ball. Attached to her hand by

a chain and a ring, it swung free while they danced.

In America this small container used to carry nosegays of sweet smelling flowers or herbs is

called 'tussie mussie'.

The name 'tussie' originates from an old English word for a nosegay. The second part refers to the

wet moss used to keep the flowers moist.

A common posy holder had a repousse receptacle with fruits, flowers, beads and

leaves

They were fixed into a metal or carved mother of pearl handle

Other posy holders had the shape of a mesh basket with oak leaves,

or a cornet shape highly embossed with open work and elaborated designs

with leaves and a medallion on the side

This object is an ornate posy holder. A posy was a small bouquet of flowers

that was also sometimes called a “tussy mussy”. They were once very fashionable, particularly during the

Victorian era when carrying flowers was considered to be more acceptable for young women than wearing jewellery.

Affluent Victorian women were encouraged to learn the “language” of flowers, a code in which each type of flower was given a different symbolic

meaning. In this way a bouquet of flowers could convey a message. For example, a red rose indicated love,

whilst a yellow rose meant friendship and lavender represented devotion.

The tussy mussy was therefore a very important part of a woman’s wardrobe.

Women would attend social events carrying a carefully arranged bouquet in an ornate holder, and in this way they could convey their intentions.

Posy holders were often very decorative, and came in a variety of

different styles. Some were worn in the hair whilst others were worn at the

waist or pushed into the low neckline of a dress - known as a “bosom bottle”.

Also known as a Posey Holder this Victorian bridal accessory will not only hold your bouquet, but can become a family

heirloom. Has carved cameo on one side and a mirror on the opposite side. Handle is carved mother of pearl. Circa 1880.

Victorian silver wedding posy holder with its

original box