A truly beautiful and antique Victorian hand fan.
Late Victorian era it has pierced white painted wooden sticks and guards.
The main body of the fan is made from silk which has a lace trim and has been hand painted with a floral design.
This fan has a small paper label attached, it was loaned to a museum show in the 1960s for a Victorian fashion talk.
Fans were used by ladies as a form of silent communication between her and a prospective gentleman or a selling close friend, they were used to give permission to a kiss, to convey the lady was already taken and even sometimes angrily.
In fact there was entire silent language built around the fan and its position and it is fascinating to research.
It was widely known by both sexes what the different fan positions were and since fans were such an important part of social etiquette they were often one of the most decorative items a lady owned.
Condition:
Fair used condition overall, there are quite a few holes / tears in the very delicate tissue thin silk and some fraying of the lace trim, also some discolouration on the lace.
Approx measurements:
13.25" length,
23.5" width open and
Loop is approx 1.5" length.
Any questions or queries please contact us.
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Product code: Antique Victorian hand fan, wood, selling silk and lace