Weasel tail

Something you don’t want to be called, unless you’re a Blackfoot chief.

Any idea what this is? Was in containers of vintage women’s hats, scarves, and accessories I bought. Around a pony tail maybe? Hat brim? Just guesses.

 

Ermine tail?
https://www.google.ca/search?q=ermi...Nrh7ZcSNEJvw5NoPtoWxqAM&bih=513&biw=938&hl=en

 

They are both wild-I'd say it's millinery Dag and it does appear Ermine.

 

I did see that was the variety of weasel. Pretty little tails!

 

I can’t imagine how it would work other than the hat brim being the meat in a weasel tail bun. Is that it, or am I missing something?

 

Weasels' coats turn white in winter. When they're white, we call them ermine.

 

Weasels and ermine are two different animals, at least here in Europe. I know American terminology can be different.
Overhere weasels are smaller than ermine.

The Latin name for weasel is 'mustela nivalis', for ermine it is 'mustela erminea'. Ermine is also known as stoat. I believe it is called stoat when it is brown, and ermine when it is white. That difference in names is English, in Dutch it is called 'hermelijn', whatever colour.
You are right about the ermine's seasonal colour change, although that depends on the climate. In a warmer climate they don't change colour, or they get a spotted pelt.

 

Anybody remember the movie "Gorky Park"? I believe it was about smuggling Russian Ermine out of Russia.

Look up pictures of Royals and you'll see them wearing Ermine.

 

Wasn't it Russian mink? Minks are related to weasels and ermines.

Edit: I just checked, it was sable fur. Sables are like martens, so bigger than weasels, ermines and minks.

 

I stand corrected. I remember thinking at the time about sable paint brushes and how expensive they are.

 

Yes, they are. Good to have in your set if you're a painter though.

Sable fur was one of the important trade goods from Russia during the time of the Hanseatic league, that is always my association.

 

I agree with bosko that it's ermine millinery ornament/trim. I have a similar piece with a little brass clip that holds it together, and a straight pin in the back to attach it to a hat.

 

Still one of my all time favourite Hurt movies.... & yes..Sable....but the movie was about an honest Russian policeman fighting corruption....

 

I used to paint w/ W&N Kolinsky sable brushes,superb watercolor tool.

 

Shades of toad of toad hall.