Fan with sticks and guards of ivory carved in China. The monogram probably added in Dieppe, France, when the fan was assembled. The leaf is hand-painted silk with gold sequins. Given to a lady at the baptism of a child.

Length 280mm.

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.