Welcome to Kat's Purple Files/ Florence Files

Recreated by La Signora Onorata Katerina da Brescia.

Inspiration:

Southerbys Florentine School (16thC) Portrait of a Woman Said ToBeVittoria Colonna by an unknown artist maybe 1530-40s. This has been enhanced to see the fan in more detail. It is a feather fan (black feathers) and a metal handle. there is a chain attatching it to the girdle.

La Moda lists peacock feathers as being recorded for use in Fans in Florence and recorded in Eleanora's guardaroba. I have some peacock feathers that have been sitting in my cupboard for a few years now.. (that Ramerez cloak that never eventuated)...

I purchased a metal fan handle from Oonagh's Own (right). the top is cylindrical so will have to be flattened.

Far right is the final fan.

Research: can be seen here.

Method:
I have been collecting peacock feathers for a few years now (thanks to Mistress Oonagh for a gift of some also).

I squished the handle flat (pic 1)
then cut out some layers of cardboard shaped to fit into the handle
I then positioned 3 layers of feathers and placed them into the cardboard, using the corrigation as the holes for the feathers
once I was happy with the positioning, I glued each feasther in with aryldite. I wanted a fairly compact fan to give maximum fanning potential in the summer.
I glued the 3 layers together and pushed them into the handle.
I pushed in and over the edges to hold in the cardboard (this should be easier to replace/fix later as feathers break, as I expect they will).

the handle suitably squished (by wooden hammer)


	the three layers placed in the cardboard	the final fan ready for use

And for those who like LIVE JOURNALS... However be warned, I do not update regularly.

All intellectual content, photos and layout are copyright to La Signora Onorata Katerina da Brescia (K Carlisle), except those original renaissance artworks and extant articles whose copyright remains with the current owner.