{"product_id":"rare-1880s-french-ostrich-plumes-in-original-millinery-box-unused-museum-quality-as-seen-in-juicy-history","title":"Rare 1880s French Ostrich Plumes in Original Millinery Box Unused, Museum-Quality, As Seen in \"Juicy History\"","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"544\" data-end=\"938\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAs seen in \u003cem\u003eJuicy History.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis exceptionally rare pair of \"French-curled\" ostrich plumes dates to the late 1880s and remains preserved in their original millinery box, exactly as sold more than 140 years ago. Entirely unused and wired for application, the plumes survive in remarkable condition, offering a rare and intact example of high-grade Victorian millinery materials as they once circulated within the high-fashion trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"940\" data-end=\"1368\"\u003eDuring the late 19th-century, ostrich plumes occupied a singular position in fashion history. They were luxury commodities, valued alongside gold and gemstones, and their presence immediately signaled wealth, refinement, and access to skilled millinery craftsmanship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlumes such as these were shaped, curled, and finished by hand, often destined for mourning bonnets or the most elaborate couture hats worn by elite women of the Victorian era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1748\"\u003eThis matched pair is styled in the popular \u003cstrong data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1428\"\u003eFrench Curl\u003c\/strong\u003e form, a design favored for its dramatic movement and sculptural elegance. When worn, plumes such as these responded to the slightest motion or breath of air, creating a living ornament that drew the eye and invited touch. Their visual impact was deliberate and deeply symbolic within the language of 19th-century dress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1750\" data-end=\"2189\"\u003eUnlike many exotic feathers used in fashion at the time, ostrich plumes were harvested without killing the bird. As public attitudes shifted and legislation eventually curtailed the feather trade for other species, ostrich plumes remained lawful and increasingly popular. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGreat care was invested in their preparation. They were dyed, steamed, split, willowed, and curled into expressive forms that elevated hats into works of costly, wearable art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2191\" data-end=\"2580\"\u003eThese plumes are accompanied by their original late-19th-century millinery box, constructed of heavy cardboard with wooden reinforcements and traditional assembly techniques. The interior is shaped specifically to cradle the plumes, reflecting the care taken in their original presentation. The box itself is historically significant and suitable for archival storage or museum exhibition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2943\"\u003eThis exact pair of plumes, along with the box, has been featured and discussed in the Substack newsletter \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2664\" data-end=\"2681\"\u003eJuicy History\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, where their cultural and material importance is explored within the broader context of the feather trade and fashion history. Photographs of these plumes appear in the published article, linking the object directly to documented scholarship and interpretation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether acquired by an institutional museum collection or a discerning private collector, this is an untouched survival from the golden age of millinery. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eObjects of this quality, completeness, and documented context are incredibly rare.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePLEASE NOTE, this will be shipped in an oversized box by USPS Priority Mail, fully insured, with delivery confirmation required.  Please refer to my shipping policies.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3557\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3579\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3563\" data-end=\"3579\"\u003eMeasurements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"169\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"135\" data-end=\"169\"\u003eRelated Research \u0026amp; Publication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"545\"\u003eThese exact ostrich plumes are discussed and illustrated in my in-depth fashion history article, \u003cem data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"327\"\u003e“Ostrich Riding, Burlesque Queens, and Child Labor Laws,”\u003c\/em\u003e published in \u003cstrong data-start=\"341\" data-end=\"358\"\u003eJuicy History\u003c\/strong\u003e. The article explores the cultural, economic, and material significance of ostrich plumes within 19th- and early 20th-century fashion and includes photographs of this original boxed set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"655\"\u003eThe full article may be read here:\u003cbr data-start=\"581\" data-end=\"584\"\u003e\u003ca data-start=\"584\" data-end=\"655\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/juicyhistory.substack.com\/p\/ostrich-riding-burlesque-queens-and\"\u003ehttps:\/\/juicyhistory.substack.com\/p\/ostrich-riding-burlesque-queens-and\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ms-0.5 inline-block align-middle leading-none\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-rtl-flip=\"\" class=\"block h-[0.75em] w-[0.75em] stroke-current stroke-[0.75]\"\u003e\u003cuse href=\"\/cdn\/assets\/sprites-core-k5zux585.svg#304883\" fill=\"currentColor\"\u003e\u003c\/use\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3557\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3185\" data-end=\"3202\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3189\" data-end=\"3202\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3204\" data-end=\"3382\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3204\" data-end=\"3215\"\u003ePlumes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3215\" data-end=\"3218\"\u003eUnused and in excellent bordering on near mint condition considering age. The feathers are supple, not brittle, and show no shedding. No fading. Wired and bound with original millinery tape. Museum-quality preservation.  They are gorgeous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3384\" data-end=\"3552\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3384\" data-end=\"3392\"\u003eBox:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3392\" data-end=\"3395\"\u003eGood condition. Original and intact but fragile, with minor losses and wear consistent with age. Suitable for archival storage or museum exhibition handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3557\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3579\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3563\" data-end=\"3579\"\u003eMeasurements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3581\" data-end=\"3640\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3581\" data-end=\"3589\"\u003eBox:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3589\" data-end=\"3592\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e15.5\" long (39.4 cm) × 8\" wide (20.3 cm) × 6\" deep (15.2 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3642\" data-end=\"3729\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3642\" data-end=\"3653\"\u003ePlumes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"3656\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 24\" long (61 cm) when gently unfurled; perfectly matched pair\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3731\" data-end=\"3734\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3736\" data-end=\"3770\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3740\" data-end=\"3770\"\u003eProvenance \u0026amp; Documentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3772\" data-end=\"3911\"\u003ePhotograph by Julia Henri © 2017\u003cbr data-start=\"3804\" data-end=\"3807\"\u003ePlumes and box from the artist’s personal collection\u003cbr data-start=\"3859\" data-end=\"3862\"\u003eFeatured in \u003cem data-start=\"3874\" data-end=\"3889\"\u003eJuicy History\u003c\/em\u003e, Substack publication\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Gilded Griffin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51935893455141,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/3952\/1829\/files\/JuicyHistoryandTGGplumes.jpg?v=1769451289","url":"https:\/\/thegildedgriffinshop.com\/products\/rare-1880s-french-ostrich-plumes-in-original-millinery-box-unused-museum-quality-as-seen-in-juicy-history","provider":"The Gilded Griffin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}