Fan, Paris, ca. 1870

Fan in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number T.209-1976), made in Paris, dated ca. 1870. The museum's brief description reads: Fan of Chantilly lace, retailed by Bijouterie G Guedu Eventails, Paris, France, ca. 1870. Museum description: Fan of black Chantilly lace with a pattern of three floral sprays, a mock heraldic shield surmounted by flowers interspaced and a floral border. The lace is mounted on white gauze. The gorge and guard are of 'goldfish' mother of pearl, and the sticks are tinted black. There is a mother of pearl topped rivet and an ogee shaped gilt metal finger loop. The museum records it as Chantilly lace mounted on gauze and mother of pearl covering, measuring Width 53 cm; Height 31 cm; Depth 4 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.