Fan

In the middle of this fixed fan is a tiny stuffed iridescent blue-green hummingbird, probably a Peruvian sheartail (Thaumastura cora). The bird is mounted on wispy fine white feathers, which are decorated with flower buds and leaves. These are also made from feathers.

These fans were made largely in Rio de Janero in Brazil for the local and European market.

Animals as accessories
This type of decoration is perhaps rather shocking to current sensibilities. At the time of its manufacture, however, the use of animals as accessories was considered acceptable. During the late nineteenth century it was fashionable to wear hats fashioned from whole birds, brooches made from beaks and earrings made from hummingbird heads.