Ostrich Feathers Collection (#9)

Major-General Sir John C Ardagh, Director of Military Intelligence, 1902. Artist: Maull & Fox
Major-General Sir John C Ardagh, Director of Military Intelligence, 1902. Portrait of Ardagh (1856-1924) from Celebrities of the Army, published by George Newnes, (London, 1902)

Major-General GH Marshall, Commanding Royal Artillery, South Africa Field Force, 1902. Artist: C Knight
Major-General GH Marshall, Commanding Royal Artillery, South Africa Field Force, 1902. Portrait from Celebrities of the Army, published by George Newnes, (London, 1902)

Pocahontas, 1616. Pocahontas (c1595-1617) was a Native American princess who married an Englishman and came to London. Unfortunately

The Departure of Telemachus from Egypt, 1775. Artist: W Walker
The Departure of Telemachus from Egypt, 1775. A plate from The Copper-Plate Magazine or A Monthly Treasure, London, 1775

A Msai warrior in full battle cry, his long-bladed spear at the ready

Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headdress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers

The traditional weaponry of the Turkana warriors consisted of a long-shafted spear with a narrow blade, a small rectangular shield made of giraffe or buffalo hide

Kenya, South Horr, Kurungu. A Samburu youth after his circumcision. The day after he has been circumcised, the initiate must hang in his pierced earlobes copper ear ornaments that are normally worn

Mulier primaria Antuerpiensis, in ornatus domestica (Gentlewoman of Antwerp in domestic adornment), 1625-77

Two men and a woman playing cards at a table, one man pressing his nose toward the womans forehead, from a series of ten scenes of musicians and couples dancing, drinking, playing music

The Actress Prayer!!, August 10, 1801. August 10, 1801. Creator: Thomas Rowlandson
The Actress Prayer!!, August 10, 1801

Geraud Duroc, Duke of Friuli, (1838). Creator: Charles Gavard
Geraud Duroc, Duke of Friuli, (1838). Portrait of French general Geraud Christophe Michel Duroc, 1st Duc de Frioul (1772-1813), Grand Marechal du Palais (Grand marshal of the palace)

During a Ngetunogh ceremony, the mothers of Pokot initiates sing and dance holding high the cowhorn containers they used to smear fat over the masks of their sons as a blessing

The Pokot have a small ceremony called Koyogho when a man pays his in-laws the balance of the agreed dowry for his wife. This may take place many years after he marries her

Pokot men, women and girls dancing to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Pokot women and girls dancing to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Pokot men and women dancing to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Pokot warriors celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Jovial Pokot women celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

A Pokot warrior wearing a leopard skin jumps high in the air surrounded by women to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Kenya, Kajiado, lpartimaro. Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers

A Turkana man with a fine clay hairstyle, so typical of the southern Turkana. The black ostrich feather pompoms denote that the man belongs to the ng imor (black) moiety of his tribe

Turkana elders wear decorative ivory lip ornaments, secured in position by a spigot which is inserted in a hole pierced below the mans lower lip after initiation

A Samburu boy in reflective mood after his circumcision. A day after the ordeal, he will hang in his pierced earlobes copper earrings normally worn by married women

The Prince of Wales, 1862. Portrait of the future King Edward VII (1841-1910). The frame is surmounted by ostrich feathers, the heraldic badge of the Heir Apparent

Philip II of Spain, 1631-1640, (1896). Illustration after a portrait from the studio of Rubens in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, of Philip (1527-1598) who was King of Spain from 1556-1598

Portrait of Helena Fourment, c1630-32. Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
Portrait of Helena Fourment, c1630-32. In 1630, Rubens married Helena Fourment, daughter of a wealthy silk and tapestry merchant in the city of Antwerp

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, consort of Queen Victoria, c1840-1861 (1910). Artist: George Baxter
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, husband and consort of Queen Victoria, c1840-1861 (1910). Prince Albert (1819-1861) married his first cousin, Queen Victoria, in 1840

Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1831. Artist: J Thomson
Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1831. Leopold (1790-1865) was the first king of Belgium

Ivory fan trimmed with ostrich feathers, from the Tomb of Tutankhamun, 14th century BC. From the Treasure of Tutankhamun (ruled 1333-1323 BC)

Two men with coats of arms, 16th century. Two Germans wearing slashed sleeves and parti-coloured hose, with heraldic crests

Egyptian bronze, Goddess Maat, (Truth), 26th Dynasty, c664BC-332BC. Maat or Ma at refers to the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice

Unknown Girl, aged 20, 1587 (oil on panel)
BAL72729 Unknown Girl, aged 20, 1587 (oil on panel) by Bettes, John, the Younger (c.1530-1615/6); 94x76.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: overpainted to represent Elizabeth I; ); English

Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1585-90 (panel)
BAL72728 Queen Elizabeth I, c.1585-90 (panel) by Bettes, John the Younger (c.1530-1615/6) (attr.to); 96.5x82.6 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Portrait of Maria Josephine Amalia of Saxony
XJL62081 Portrait of Maria Josephine Amalia of Saxony by Lacoma, Francisco (1778-1849); Museo Romantico, Madrid, Spain; Spanish, out of copyright

Getting Dressed, 1869
BAL55715 Getting Dressed, 1869 by Boutibonne, Charles Edouard (1816-97); Private Collection; French, out of copyright

Mrs Sarah Siddons, the actress (1755-1831), 1785 (oil on canvas)
XCF5362 Mrs Sarah Siddons, the actress (1755-1831), 1785 (oil on canvas) by Gainsborough, Thomas (1727-88); 126.4x99.7 cm; National Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Charles I as Prince of Wales on Horseback, from The Book of Kings, 1618
XJF397686 Charles I as Prince of Wales on Horseback, from The Book of Kings, 1618 (engraving) by Elstrack, Renold (1570-1625); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles I (1600-49) King of England

Portrait of a Lady in a Hat
BAL35762 Portrait of a Lady in a Hat by Mulnier, J. (c.1755); Rafael Valls Gallery, London, UK; out of copyright

2920808; out of copyright

Portrait of Charles I as a Prince (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF271066 Portrait of Charles I as a Prince (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles I (1600-49) King of England

The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds, detail depicting the male card player with the feathered hat, c
XIR242477 The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds, detail depicting the male card player with the feathered hat, c.1635-40 (oil on canvas) (detail of 90053) by Tour, Georges de la (1593-1652); Louvre

Portrait of Louis XIV, King of France, Pieter van Schuppen, in or after 1663 - 1702

Pampa Indians at a Store in the Indian Market of Buenos Aires, from Picturesque
XZL151516 Pampa Indians at a Store in the Indian Market of Buenos Aires, from Picturesque Illustrations of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, engraved by J

Lady who runs great ostrich farm in Spain. Senora Maria Arizon, who manages a great ostrich farm in Spain. 27 February 1925

Miss Hungary Mlle Olly von Wlassics, the Budapest beauty, who has been chosen to represent her country at the International Beauty contest to be held at Galveston, Texas. 19 May 1928

Masai man talking on mobile phone, Masai Mara, Kenya, East Africa, Africa

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"Captivating Ostrich Feathers: A Timeless Symbol of Elegance and Power" From the grand portraits of historical figures like Field Marshal Lord Roberts to the mythical heroes depicted by Hendrik Goltzius, they have long held a place in art and culture. These magnificent plumes, with their graceful curves and ethereal softness, have been used throughout history to adorn garments and accessories, symbolizing status, strength, and beauty. In Lucas Cranach the Elder's masterpiece "Saint Maurice, " we see the regal figure adorned with a majestic ostrich feather headdress, signifying his noble stature. Similarly, in the 19th-century depiction of "A Wellington Boot- or the Head of the Armye, " an imposing military leader proudly wears an ostentatious hat embellished with these luxurious feathers as a mark of authority. But they can not limited to formal occasions alone. In more lighthearted depictions such as "The Featherd Fair in a Fright" or Kate Carney's Lambeth Walk performance at London's music hall, they add a touch of whimsy and playfulness to entertain audiences. Beyond artistry lies cultural significance. The Pokot warriors celebrate their Atelo ceremony by adorning themselves with cheetah skin while surrounded by young women; here too, ostrich feathers find their place amidst this vibrant display of tradition and community spirit. Even fashion has embraced these enchanting plumes. Princess Charlotte Augusta dons them gracefully in her 19th-century portrait captured by Henry Thomas Ryall while Mrs. Bryan Cooke exudes elegance wearing an exquisite gown accentuated by delicate feather details created by George Romney. Throughout centuries and across continents, from Renaissance engravings depicting male costumes to pochoir prints showcasing Les Belles Sauvagesses de 1920 or Le Depart pour le Casino pub. , they have remained timeless symbols of allure and grandeur.