Shackladys Antiques

Description

A striking brass pierced peacock fire fan of late nineteenth-century design, combining practical ingenuity with exuberant Victorian ornament. Constructed in cast and pierced brass, the fan is formed as a tall, tapering central housing that opens into a dramatic semicircular spread, evoking the fanned tail of a peacock when fully extended.
The upright body is richly detailed with open latticework panels composed of repeating circular and elongated geometric perforations. At the front, a cast female mask framed by scrolling acanthus forms sits within an arched surround, backed by radiating pierced ornament that enhances the theatrical quality of the design. The crest is surmounted by an elaborate openwork carrying handle with foliate scrolls and a central decorative motif, allowing the piece to be easily positioned beside the hearth.
When expanded, the articulated brass leaves fan outward in a broad arc, each segment finely pierced and topped with delicate rosette-like roundels that reinforce the peacock-tail effect. The precision of the piercing allows heat from the fireplace to pass through and circulate efficiently into the room, demonstrating the object’s intended function as a heat reflector and radiator rather than mere decoration.
The base is cast in a substantial tripod form with bold acanthus leaves, scrolling volutes, and shell-like detailing that anchor the vertical structure. The feet terminate in flattened scroll pads, providing stability while maintaining the flowing lines of the overall silhouette.
Dimensions
Height: 25 Inches
Width: 9.5 Inches when open 36 Inches
Depth: 9 Inches