Fan with feather quill ‘leaf’, stuck into short pierced ivory sticks. Feathers are painted front and back with elaborate design of flowers and edged with white down. Pierced ivory guards and metal pin with cut stone.

Length 235mm.

Fans were used for many years for keeping cool. They came to take on a similar symbolism as parasols – purity. Models during the 1800s were especially influenced by French and Italian fans, then later from China and Japan.

Fans became a social tool, used to attract attention, flirt, shield a private conversation or cover embarrassment.

Manufacturers took to publishing fan ‘language’ leaflets, intended for use by secret lovers. They marketed it as an old language, but it was actually a clever sales ploy that was then confused as real history. Fans do have a history as tools for secret messages, but through symbols hidden in their decoration.