folding fan, unknown maker from China

Up on one of the top shelves of the cabinet is a Chinese fan. This fan is part of the exhibit Empire of Things, a collection of interesting objects from around the world. The cabinet was created to showcase the geographic diversity of the Spencer’s Collection. This collection explores the relationships between the objects and people of our world. We are not sure who made this fan due to the absence of a known maker’s mark, but it has been in the Spencer’s collection for several years and is from the mid-1800s. This fan caught my eye because of its exotic blend of feathers and drawings. The fan is white with peacock feathers at the tips. There is rose pattern in the center that spans across the folds. This fan brings many questions to my mind: Who made it? Used it? And why? Was it a gift between friends? A wedding present? Without any other knowledge, we must use our imagination to decide. I was interested by the historical significance by fans throughout the world. Since ancient times, fans have been used for ceremony, accessories, cooling and air circulation. There is a profound history of fans in Chinese culture; fans embroidered with the most meticulous stitching, called the “forbidden stitch” were reserved for royalty, so only those of the Chinese Imperial Court would have the finest fans. These fans combine Chinese paintings, poems, and calligraphy to create a wonderful work of art. Imagine a large ballroom, with fine ladies gathered around, competing with one another for the best outfit to be the jewel of the night, and comparing their beautiful gowns, elaborate headpieces, and flashing fans. This fan is a folding fan made of peacock and goose feathers, gwash (an ancestor of watercolor paint which has been used since the 14th century), and ivory. These fans were usually gifted as a good luck charm or as a symbol of generosity. Folding fans have been used since the 1300s. This has been Annika Syverson with another Bulldog Podcast.