Ladies in the formal Victorian 1800's filled these "nosegays" with fragrant bouquets to make their stroll along the streets more aromatically pleasing, before public sanitation. Tussie refers to a knot of flowers and Mussie refers to the moist moss that kept the flowers fresh. 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". 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. Silver plate, apprx 5-1/4"L.
75/125 Sold $120.75
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