Fan
1880s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
During the last three decades of the the 19th century there was a passion for using parts of dead animals as ornaments, both for the person and the home. This craze intensified during the 1880's, and in spite of numerous contemporary articles exposing the barbarities inherent in this trade, the fashion persisted.
The fan shown here has a stuffed hummingbird set as if in flight amidst feathers and down from a variety of exotic birds. Fans like this one would have been intended to enhance fashionable ensembles worn at events such as balls, soirees, weddings and at theatre and opera visits.
The fan shown here has a stuffed hummingbird set as if in flight amidst feathers and down from a variety of exotic birds. Fans like this one would have been intended to enhance fashionable ensembles worn at events such as balls, soirees, weddings and at theatre and opera visits.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Stuffed bird, feathers, wrapped silk, ivory, glued beetle |
| Brief description | Fan, feather, ivory, silkl, beetle, Brazil, 1880-1900 |
| Physical description | Fan composed of an ivory handle decorated with a floral pattern, with a base of white feathers and a centre of fluffy white marabou down. A stuffed hummingbird is set in the centre as if hovering in flight near a spray of white silk flowers, green and red silk berries on stems of wire wrapped with silk, and green and brown leaves made of feathers. Three real beetles rest on the foliage.On the reverse of the fan is a sprig of rose buds and leaves which are actually made of pink, white and green feathers. Still in its original box. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | '44, Rua do Ouvidor, Rio-de-Janeiro. Feather Flowers. Melles M.& E. Natté. Medailles aux expons univers de Vienne 1873, Santiago 1875, Philadelphia 1876, Rio de Janeiro 1876, Paris 1878, Amsterdam 1883. Flowers in Feathers, Insects, Humming Birds and other qualities for Balls, Soirees, Theatres and Marriages, etc. A large Assortment of Birds, Butterflies and other objects of natural History and Curiosities from Brazil'. (Printed label on the lid of the box) |
| Credit line | Given by Margaret S. Perkin |
| Object history | Fans such as this one were called feather flowers by the manufacturer, and stated on the box that they were intended for 'Balls, Soirees, Theatres and Marriages, etc.' |
| Summary | During the last three decades of the the 19th century there was a passion for using parts of dead animals as ornaments, both for the person and the home. This craze intensified during the 1880's, and in spite of numerous contemporary articles exposing the barbarities inherent in this trade, the fashion persisted. The fan shown here has a stuffed hummingbird set as if in flight amidst feathers and down from a variety of exotic birds. Fans like this one would have been intended to enhance fashionable ensembles worn at events such as balls, soirees, weddings and at theatre and opera visits. |
| Associated object | T.15-1950 (Set) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.14-1950 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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