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 Collecting Antique Posy Vasesby Johanne Yakula
You do not wake up one morning and say "Today I will begin to collect posy vases". Instead, it is often the result of browsing in an antique shop or a show and seeing something that seems to speak to your soul at that very moment (and is within your budget!). In the fall of 1996 my sister and I took a long anticipated trip to England and Scotland. Combining my passion for art, antiques, architecture,history and regional food with the chance to spend quality time with my sibling , I couldn't wait to go! While in London, we stayed at a bed and breakfast that could have used some serious restoration tips. What it lacked in original detail, it made up in location. Within walking distance to Harrods, The Victoria and Albert museum (I was the last to leave - they practically had to pry me from their doors at the end of the day) and Portebello Road, I was in heaven. Portebello Road is a mecca for tourists and Londoners alike that love antiques. Although there are many permanent kiosks, weekends are the time to go. On this typically British rainy day in October , the place was alive with stalls selling everything antique you can possibly imagine. Everyone sported those large black umbrellas like you see in the movies - and a good part of the time was spent simply trying to maneuver around them and avoid the torrents of rain water pouring off them onto your shoes! Portebello Road is not known to be a bargain hunter's venue, especially once you take into consideration the currency exchange. However, it is a feast for the eyes. There are so many crevices to explore and many are filled with obscure collectibles. It is at one of these tiny hidden tables that I spied my first posy vase that started the small collection I have today. Posy Holders Posy holders, during the 19th century, were meant to hold small bouquets of flowers (also known as a tussie mussie). They were very fashionable during this time, and no young lady of consequence was without one. The kind of flowers chosen for this miniature arrangement "spoke" volumes.
These posy holders took the form of a conical metal holder with a pin that skewered the arrangement into the holder. It was attached to a chain, at the end of which was a ring that the woman wore around her finger. The chain let the holder to swing free while the woman danced. Bouquets in these holders were without water so did not last more than an evening. Eventually posy holders were designed to hold a small amount of water. Thus even men wishing to wear a boutonniere could do so thanks to the invention of small tube like holders that held water and could be attached to a shirt or coat button. These became all the rage and today sterling silver examples command prices over $200. Posy Vases
Very little information seems to be available on this particular style of posy vases. Posy vases are available in metals such as brass, sterling and silver plate, as well as pottery and porcelain. What makes this grouping different is that the insert, or posy holder is made out of clear or colored glass and is removable from its base. The bases can be solid , such as the classically inspired base shown to the right, or they can be "legs" as shown above. Often ( if available), they can be found in pairs. As a collection, they take up very little place, but they have lots of visual impact. They are perfect for entertaining too! I have placed a different one at each place setting at a dinner party and filled it with a single flower or a small grouping of seasonal or even silk flowers. They become a conversation piece, and don't interfere with the diner's view the way a regular floral arrangement might. Prices? I have paid from $60 for simpler examples to $150 for more ornate, unusual pieces, and although I still would like to find more, they are becoming very difficult to find. However, as any collector knows, the hunt is a large part of the fun! Written By: Johanne Yakula From Times Past
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Affluent women learned the language of flowers. Certain flowers, such as roses, spoke of love and affection - others, such as lavender ,of remembrance and devotion. Although a young man or lover was unable to speak to his intended un chaperoned, he sent her a nosegay of roses or other small flowers. To show her acceptance of him, the woman would wear his bouquet in her posy holder when attending a ball or other social event. 
Posy vases are a cross between these posy holders and a bud vase. They are different from a posy holder in that they are self supporting - on legs or a base. They are different from a bud vase in that the lip flares out to accept a small group of flowers whereas a bud vase is taller and slender and its lip is narrow to support longer stems.
