Object Identification
- Object name: Folding fan
- Date: c. 1890s
- Dimensions: H 34 cm x w 66 cm
- Materials: painted silk, ivory, mother-of-pearl, copper
Object Summary
Folding fans are not only functional accessories but also significant aesthetic statement pieces that showcase a variety of art and design styles. Historically, fans have played a crucial role in non-verbal communication and have been important in social etiquette and courtship rituals across different cultures. Each fan carries a rich heritage, reflecting the period or culture from which it originates. This fan is constructed with mother-of-pearl sticks—referred to as guards at the outer edges—and held together at the handle by a rivet; the fan features painted silk mounted in pleats across its ivory ribs, allowing it to open and close. It had previously undergone extensive improper treatment, which resulted in the endangerment of the silk and the breakage of the ivory.
Special thank you to Sarah Baile, conservator of the Fan Museum in Greenwich, London, for her treatment advice and help sourcing replacement materials.
This object was conserved by Charlee Richards. Find out more about her by clicking on the profile below!
