Antique umbrella called “Douairière”, circa 1860

Antique umbrella called “Douairière”. The special feature of this rare type of umbrella is that the handle that held it when it was closed was above the silk part. Here a thin ivory part in the shape of a lyre 3,54″  long allowed to hold the umbrella by its upper part. The handle is also ivory carved foliage. The “aiguillettes” are also ivory. umbrella ribs in real whalebone, covered with brown silk. It is 31,10″ long and 23,42″ in open diameter. It is in perfect condition.
France, circa 1860.