Posey
Holders
Also
known as tussey mussie holders, posey holders were all the rage during
the Victorian era (1819-1901). Not only used by women, men of stature
were also known to keep a fresh tussey mussie on their carriage door.
It would signify to passers-by (by its design, intricacy and the flowers
therein contained) the stature, wealth and often even the occupation of
the carriage’s passenger.
In Victorian times tussy mussies were considered an art form and each
one was unique. Suitors would spend much time selecting the flowers they
wanted to put in their beloved’s tussy mussies, because each flower
had meaning. When a woman received a tussy mussie she would read the flowers
like an essay, trying to decipher what the sender was saying to her. Some
of the more popular flowers to use in tussy mussies and their meanings
are:
Red
Rose-love
Yellow rose--friendship
Azalea-- romance
Heather-- wishes come true
Ivy-- fidelity
Laurel-- success
Myrtle-- passion
Mint -- Virtue
Lavender -- Devotion
Rosemary -- Remembrance
Globe Amaranth -- Everlasting Love
Snowdrop - Hope
Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures
Tulip - Love
Violet - Faithfulness
Posey holders vary in size from tiny vials surrounded by gold and silver
meant to be worn on clothing to larger hand-held models starting around
4 inches in length. Craftsmen of the time competed in the creation of
elaborate holders for wealthy clientele using all manner of decoration
including
gold, silver, gilding, enameled porcelain, hand cut glass and even fine
jewels. Many posey holders resemble a miniature ‘horn of plenty’
with a long cone with often curves at the end for added style.
Vastly popular by collectors, posey holders
may often be found in antique shops in Europe and, if you’re lucky,
sometimes in North America.
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