Posy holders on parade at The Smithsonian's Ripley Center

November 8, 10:54 PMDC Cultural Events ExaminerPatricia Leslie

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The posy holder holder at the Ripley Center/by Patricia Leslie

By The Queen of Free

If the escalator had been working, if I had taken the elevator and bypassed the stairs down, down, down to the Ripley Center to buy a ticket for a Smithsonian Associates program, I would have missed the delightful case of "posy holders" hidden in a hallway below the escalator.

What is a "posy holder"?

Please! 

A "posy holder" HOLDS flowers (of course)  which m'lady waved around her person to ward off noxious odors, if you will.   (Can you imagine what the odors were like before deodorant?)

Just look at these jewels:   Many posy holders came with rings and attached chains so a woman could wrap the posy holder around her finger and wave around fragrances.  (With all that metal, they do look rather heavy to affix to one's apparel and wear.  However, methinks purposes beyond waxing pleasant were possibilities.)

Aha!

This must be one of the reasons m'ladies had the miniature waist lines they did:  Holding the posy holder prohibited holding most anything else (like a plate or drink glass at a cocktail party) so the posy holder holder was unable to imbibe or consume which lead to decreased caloric intake and therefore, a diminished waist line.  This all stands to reason.
 

Filling the posy holders were nosegays. (At last, the etymology of "nosegays"!)

Lots of posy holders at the Ripley Center/by Patricia Leslie

These jewels are dainty, delicate reminders of a bygone era to admire when you go to the down under at the Ripley.  Would that some Holders name their baby daughter "Posy."  Eric?
 
What:     Posy holders
 
Where:  The Ripley Center between the Smithsonian Castle and the Freer Gallery of Art, 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW

Closest Metro Station:  Smithsonian
 
When:  10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
 
Cost:       None!

For more information:  202-633-1000

P.S.  You will be shocked to learn that "posy holders" are not found at Wikipedia, the first omission in Wikipedia known to peoplekind.