French-manufactured mechanical pocket fan consisting of central mechanism contained within a two piece circular celluloid box (similar to a pill box) from which produrdes from the center of one side an attachment holding three thermoformed triangular blades. A metal piece projects from the side of the circular box; when pressed in, this moves the rotor with blades, in silence. The blades can be collapsed to overlap for easier storage. Fans like this were popular for the theater or opera.

One the small round metal faceflat holding the blades in place is engraved "LA BRISE / LA BREVETE S.D.G.D" (patented SGDG). S.G.D.G. stands for "sans garantie du gouvernement" (without government guarantee), which in France was a legal statement absolving the state from any liability on the effective functioning of the patented device. This reference was established by the 1844 Act which states that patents are granted "without screening, at the risk of applicants, and is without warranty of reality, novelty or merits of the invention, either fidelity or accuracy of the description."

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