fan

Summary

Paper leaf, thickly painted in gouache. Against a dark brown background is a group of women's figures in classical costume with some 17th century detail holding flowers and musical instruments and one feeding a swan, amongst the trees and statuary. Back of leaf has three bunches of flowers. Tortoiseshell sticks with toothes edges, painted in formal flower design and carved tortoiseshell guards with pierced design of foliage and birds. Sticks passing through slits in base of leaf. Said to have belonged to Lady Elizabeth Corneley, d.1672.

Display Label

Fans have been carried to public and ceremonial occasions for centuries, and in many different cultures. The Gallery has a collection of over 350 fans, mostly representing fashionable accessories used in Britain, although often made abroad, particularly in China. Some examples are pictured below, dating from the late seventeenth century onwards, showing a range of decorative techniques, including painting, printing and stitching.