While rummaging through an old box at the back of a cupboard, I stumbled upon some curious objects. Thin, colorful, a little shiny… At first glance, I thought they might be vintage cocktail sticks or leftover Christmas lights—one of those “just in case” items that end up forgotten.

But when I held them in my hand, I noticed something unusual. They were made of glass, delicate, almost poetic. Orange, yellow, green… and each with a tiny, discreet hook. What on earth could they have been used for?

A Family Secret Unveiled

Puzzled, I asked my grandfather’s brother. He burst out laughing and, with a twinkle in his eye, revealed their secret: “Those are little vases for suit pockets. For buttonholes.”

Miniature vases? For suits? I could hardly believe it. Yet suddenly, everything clicked. These slender glass tubes would slip into a jacket’s breast pocket, holding just enough water to keep a flower fresh throughout an evening. Such a subtle detail—yet one of great refinement.

When Flowers Spoke Louder Than Words

Back then, these tiny vases weren’t mere ornaments. They were symbols, part of a delicate language of flowers. A white carnation for a wedding. A red rose for a romantic evening. A rare orchid for the theater. Each bloom carried a message, a silent declaration.