European hand fans in the 18th century

Hand fans serve as a cooling mechanism, social instrument, and fashion accessory.

Fans were used throughout history, and can be traced back as long as five thousand years ago.

They developed in ancient Egypt, India and China, where they were used for ceremonies and practical purposes.

Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) owned dozens of these fans, as was shown in her portraits.

Later in the 16th century, folding fans were introduced into Europe from Japan where they originated.

At the end of the 17th century, Huguenot immigrants traveled to England, bringing the fan craft with them.

As its name implies, the rigid fan is stiff and is made to retain its shape.

[2] Fans in the 18th century were made from a wide variety of materials depending on their style and purpose.

[4] Sticks and handles could be made of gold, tortoise shell, ivory, mother-of-pearl, horn, or wood.

[4] Other decorations included feathers, butterfly wings, silk, gold, and sequins.

[5] Some artists designed fans which would prevent boredom during a dull event, or would start a conversation.

These presented questions such as “Whether one is to get Riches; Whether one will be successful in Love; What sort of Husband shall I have; etc.”[1] The 18th century saw fans which assisted in remembering holidays or that served as maps.

[5] There were souvenir fans that depicted scenes such as Vesuvius erupting and the Coliseum.

[1] Fans for church depicted Bible subjects such as Jacob and Rachel or Ruth and Boaz.

Other fans contained brand names and store fronts and thus acted as advertisements.