Antique 19th Century French Tussie-Mussie Posey Holder, Bouquet Holder with Ivory Handle

A charming remnant of mid-1800s France, this is a little hand held bouquet holder, often referred to as a tussie-mussie, or posy holder. “Porte bouquet” would be the proper French term. A small bouquet would be pulled together with short stems, bound and inserted into the flared pressed brass end, then the long pique run through it to hold it in place. Some had an additional chain with a ring attached so a young lady could hold it in palm but still dance at a ball, for instance. Very popular then and for collectors now, this is one of the simpler ones but in very nice condition. The bowl or vase which holds the flowers shows 3 pressed brass putti dancing, and seems to have once been coated with either silver plate or I see also remnants of gold plating. Full measurements noted on the photos.

Very good to excellent condition for age and type, complete and unbroken, no chips or breaks and still with the flower pick (pique) on chain. No hairlines or age shrinkage cracks on the old ivory handle, which is lathe-turned, carved. Evidence, as noted, that it might have once had either a silver plate or gold plate finish. The metal is pressed brass and in good form, no dents or breaks. 

IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don’t hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we’re totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world. 

Our offering exceeds the age limitation of “more than 100 years of age”, and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.