Search results
Oct 13, 2016 · By the 18th century, a new category of decorative deodorizers arrived in the form of small vases called tussie-mussies, which could be pinned to one’s clothing or held in the hand, so that one’s nostrils were never far from a fragrant bouquet of sweet-smelling posies.
- They Have Medieval Roots. A “tussie” is a nosegay, a Middle English word for a small group of flowers held together in a little bouquet and that was held at nose level; “mussie” refers to the moss that was moistened and put around the stems of the flowers to keep them from wilting.
- They Were Popularized by Queen Victoria. The term tussie-mussie (also tussy-mussy) dates back to the reign of trend-setter Queen Victoria (1837-1901), who was fond of carrying these little floral bouquets wherever she went.
- They Went Hand in Hand with Floriography. Tussie-mussies also became important vehicles for floriography (language of flowers), one of the Victorians’ favorite preoccupations that they elevated to an art form.
- They Were a Popular Gift for Courtship. It was common practice at the beginning of a relationship for the gentleman to give the lady a tussie-mussie, and she had to be careful about how she wore the flowers on her dress: If she pinned it to the “cleavage of bosom,” that would be bad news for him, since that signified friendship; tussie-mussies held pointing downward were also a sign of rejection.
Apr 21, 2020 · By the early 19th century, wearing fresh flowers had become an important element of fashion, but the custom had disappeared by 1900. Today the tussie-mussie survives as a popular wedding accessory. Even Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle chose to carry a bridal bouquet in the style of a tussie-mussie.
May 22, 2024 · Wearing flowers and carrying bouquets among upper-class women in the Victorian era was the height of fashion. This trend would develop into complex arrangements with a language of their own. The...
- Danielle Herring
Jun 30, 2023 · Fussy tussie-mussie: Victorian bouquet holders. A few weeks ago I did a post on the history of the corsage. While researching, I came across references to the most delightful accessory 18th and 19th-century women used to carry small bouquets with them.
Apr 1, 2023 · Perhaps the most surprising use for the tussy mussy was to ward against unpleasant odours, which were pervasive in the Victorian period. Many Victorians, including scientists and medical professionals, believed that bad smells caused disease.
People also ask
Why did Victorians wear tussie mussies?
What were tussie mussies made of in Victorian era?
What is a 19th-century tussie-mussie?
What is a tussie mussie?
What are tussie-mussies & collectible posy holders?
When did tussie mussies become popular?
Today the tussie mussie is defined as "a small circular nosegay of flowers and herbs, tightly gathered and designed to carry a special message in the language of flowers". From Victorian times the addition of incorporating a private message through the language of flowers became popular.
