Antique c.1900 French Ostrich Feather and Tortoise Shell Hand Fan, Silver Crown Monogram, in Box Nina Ricci
These feathers are so 'feathery', meaning puffy and fluffy, and not the least flat. They seem almost like long strands of fine hair as they flow in any movement of the air. Is it ostrich, or some other more exotic feather? Not like my other feather fans, really. See images to understand what I mean. The fan is stunning, and large! While the fine tortoise shell guards measure 24.5 cm, the fan opens to at least 60 cm. Complete, no broken guards, sticks or spines. The spines seem to be coned in white paper and the feather attached there. I assume they are also tortoise shell, and the white cones were to keep them as close to invisible in this special kind of feather. Not certain. Emu? Certainly luxurious. Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it has been protected through time in a large box which allows the feathers to retain their fluffiness. I am certain it isn't original, since Nina Ricci began c.1932, and this fan dates a good 30 years earlier, c.1880-1905. It will rem