Aigrette hair ornament

An aigrette is a decorative hair ornament often combining feathers and jewellery-like elements mounted on long pins. Its name derives from the French word for the egret. Here the term identifies the hair ornament rather than a particular metal standard or gemstone.

Historic New England documents an example with gold-plated metal, glass imitations and a bird's feather in its original case. Albany Institute presents another combining tortoiseshell, feathers, textile and wire. These examples show the variety of materials that can form an aigrette. The jewellery component alone does not describe the complete object.

When examining an older example, inspect its attachment, pins, ornament and organic components. Record parts that survive, are loose or have been replaced. Historic New England explicitly notes replacement feathers in its exhibition photograph, illustrating why photographed appearance and original material must be distinguished. A case can support provenance, but a retailer's name on it does not automatically identify the maker of every component.

Sources: Historic New England: Aigrette in Original Case; Albany Institute: Aigrette 1958.125.58a.