Waaier met een montuur van imitatie schildpad waarop taupekleurige struisveren in een oplopende rij zijn aangebracht c. 1900 - 1905

This fan, made by an anonymous maker, features taupe-colored ostrich feathers mounted on a faux tortoise shell frame. The feathers, arranged in a tiered formation, create a delicate, airy texture, contrasting with the smooth, dark frame. The choice of materials and their assembly speaks volumes. Ostrich feathers, a luxury item, signal status and refinement, while the imitation tortoise shell reflects a growing consumer culture, where access to luxury was democratized through industrial production of cheaper, imitation materials like celluloid or early plastics. Consider the skilled labor involved in sourcing, preparing, and mounting the feathers, alongside the craftsmanship required to fashion the frame. The fan embodies the interplay between natural materials, industrial processes, and human artistry, blurring the lines between fashion, craft, and social display. By examining its materials and modes of production, we gain insight into the intricate relationship between aesthetics, class, and consumption.