Mistakenly identified as a collar in the original listing of the lace collection, this superb example of Chantilly is a fan leaf, evidence of which is the area set aside in the design for the fan guard (the outer most stick to which the end of the fan leaf is attached). However, there is no evidence to suggest that the leaf was ever mounted for practical use. This example is of such extraordinary design and workmanship that it may have been intended as an international exhibition piece. It is most likely French, the lace of that country having been described by the jury of the International Exhibition in 1851 as “the most exquisite work . . . combining perfection of design with surpassing elegance.” Sophisticated techniques have been employed to accentuate the shading and vary the texture of flora and foliage in this lace, including the use of several sizes of ground mesh and various combinations of filling stitches, such as pin-chain and honeycomb.