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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders
Tussie-Mussies: A Collector’s Guide to Victorian Posy Holders offers new insight into a world of secrets and beauty that most people in modern times have long forgotten. The book provides an overview of how and why these precious artifacts came into use, and reveals the abundance of styles and shapes they took in various countries. Over 100 posy holders are displayed in exquisite full-color photos, with accompanying text providing detailed information about the precious materials used to fashion each. A wonderful addition to any collector’s library.
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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders
Marene Press Palo Alto, California
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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders Irene Deitsch
Irene Deitsch
Contents Introduction
Collecting Tussie-Mussies . . . 7 Chapter 1
History of Tussie-Mussies from Medieval Times through 1800 . . . 15 Chapter 2
Later History through 1900 . . . 19 Chapter 3
Uses for Tussie-Mussies . . . 23 Chapter 4
Tussie-Mussie Materials . . . 29 Chapter 5
Styles of Tussie-Mussies . . . 39 Chapter 6
Where to Find These Treasures . . . 51
Chapter 7
Collecting Advice . . . 55 Chapter 8
How to Display Your Collection . . . 59 Chapter 9
Managing Your Collection . . . 63 Chapter 10
An Abundance of Styles . . . 67 Afterword . . . 127 Bibliography . . . 128 Acknowledgments . . . 129 About the Author . . . 130
Introduction
Collecting Tussie-Mussies
Tussie-Mussies
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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders
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n my visit to the Smithsonian Institution in 1999, I came across an exhibit that filled me with awe and admiration. It featured the “tussie-mussies” of Frances Poteker, a florist in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had never heard of a tussie-mussie, and I could neither spell nor remember the name, but I was absolutely thunderstruck. Several large boards displayed these small beauties, one more breathtaking than the next. What were they used for? I wondered. After doing some sleuthing, I found that tussiemussies were designed to carry small bunches of flowers, often called “nosegays,” that were popular during the Victorian Age. I also discovered that tussie-mussies are often referred to as “posy holders” or “porte bouquets.” These beautiful Victorian treasures are not widely known. While a few antique experts out there do trade in them, most dealers I have encountered are entirely unaware of them. What does “tussie-mussie” actually mean? The name was sometime spelled “tuzzy-muzzy.” “Tuzzy” is an old English word meaning “knot of flowers,” and “muzzy” refers to the damp moss wrapped around flower stems to keep them moist. As time went by, “tussiemussie” evolved as the accepted name. Before the invention of tussie-mussies, flowers were cumbersome to hold during dancing or dining, and sometimes they stained clothing. What’s more, blossoms wilted rapidly. As time went on, jewelers began to create small flower holders, resembling ice cream cones, from a variety of materials, in designs that gradually became more
Smithsonian Institution
ornate as jewels and precious metals were added. Many included finger rings to be worn while dancing or walking, and most had floral pins that held the flowers in place and anchored their stems in moist cups. Some were sold in leather presentation boxes lined in velvet or satin. Larger tussie-mussies were made for adult women, smaller sizes for girls, and even smaller ones for very young girls. Tussie-mussies tucked into the low necklines of dresses were called “bosom bottles.” Very small tussie-mussies were used to adorn the waist, or worn in the hair, or secured with a brooch. Men used them as boutonnieres. Some were designed for special occasions, such as funerals, operas, and balls; others were made to match elegant dresses. All held flowers. In Birmingham, England, where silver-plating techniques were developed, factories started making all kinds of objects in silver plate, which was very attractive and sold for less money than solid silver. Sometimes a 8
Collecting Tussie-Mussies
Gilt basket made of six slender leaves in a funnel shape with a pierced ball at the neck. One of the leaves has a large blue stone. Turned mother-ofpearl handle with finger ring attached at its tip. The floral pin is attached to the ball. 5 3/4" long. English, ca. 1880.
Photo of my father, Benjamin Levin, and his sister, Clara, at ages 5 and 7 respectively. Aunt Clara is holding a posy holder with a bouquet. This photo was taken in 1912.
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Tussie-Mussies
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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders
Basket made of heavy gilt wires, lapis center with a ring of small pearls. Mother-of-pearl handle. 5 3/4" long. English, ca. 1860.
limited number of the same silver-plated posy holder would be produced in these factories, although the marketplace was never saturated with duplicates. The more ornate designs and expensive materials were reserved for one-of-akind pieces made by jewelers.The more interested I became in these little treasures, the more I wanted to dig up information about tussie-mussies. To my disappointment, after looking for books and articles about them, I found that not much was available. There is a smattering of information about posy bouquets in books on flowers and Victoriana, but little is included about their holders. So I decided to write a book both for collectors and for those who can appreciate the beauty and romance of these lovely antiques. While I was running about uncovering as much information as I could, I also started col-
lecting tussie-mussies as fast as I could find them. The hunt became a passion for me. But I soon discovered that there were precious few out there compared to other items from the Victorian period. And among those I located, only a few were in pristine condition; most had not survived the years very well. I also found that ornate or unusual posy holders are rarer still, and when one becomes available, collectors clamor over the opportunity to own such rare beauty. Given the lack of information about tussiemussies in the market today, I am pleased to share my research and my collection with you. Perhaps you will marvel at the beauty, romance, and creativity of the Victorian period—and come to admire tussie-mussies as much as I do. h
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Collecting Tussie-Mussies
Gilt basket with woven turquoise enamel at the top. Each point on top has turquoise stones. Turquoise opaline glass handle. Finger ring and chain are attached to the handle tip. Floral pin and chain are attached to the basket. 4 1/2" long. French, ca. 1870.
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Tussie-Mussies
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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders
Four silver-plated swirled panels form a funnel cup. Small flowers throughout the cup with small coral stones in the center. Front panel has a marquise-shaped portrait of a young woman with tiny diamonds ringing the portrait. Solid neck holds the floral pin and finger ring on separate chains. Turned wood handle is hollow and has a black finish. 7" long. Possibly Russian, ca. 1870.
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Collecting Tussie-Mussies
Young girl holding a posy holder with flowers.
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Tussie-Mussies
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A collector’s guide to Victorian posy holders
Typical styles found in fashion books of the period, ca. 1860.
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