Fans were first used in Western Europe in the Middle Ages. Many of the more intricate ones carried concealed knives or stilettos, as it was often dangerous to walk alone after nightfall or in a dark alley, especially in Renaissance Italy. Fans were of course functional, serving to keep off flies, shield one from the heat of a fire, or create a current of fresh air. Gradually, fans became an almost essential accessory for the fashionable, and no skill or expense was spared in their design and manufacture.

At the beginning of the 19th century, fans were considered an indispensable dress accessory for ladies attending balls and other functions. Three major types of fan were in use at that time.

Folding fans, the most common, consisted of leaves mounted on sticks which were joined at the foot. Paper was used in the cheaper fans, but parchment, made from the skin more...

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An antique crochet and ivory fan, length 22 cm, in box

An antique crochet and ivory fan, length 22 cm, in box

An antique sequined silk and blonde horn fan, length 19 cm, in…

An antique sequined silk and blonde horn fan, length 19 cm, in box

Victorian tortoiseshell and ostrich feather fan, comprising two…

Victorian tortoiseshell and ostrich feather fan, comprising two guards and twenty sticks, each with a large ostrich feather, in tones of brown and white, with a loop handle to the base, length 38 cm

19th century lace and tortoiseshell fan, accented with sequins,…

19th century lace and tortoiseshell fan, accented with sequins, on a black gauze ground, length 24 cm, with original box (2)

Antique French sequin hand fan, decorated with oval medallions…

Antique French sequin hand fan, decorated with oval medallions and swags, length 22 cm, with French retailers box (2)

Fine silver filigree breeze fan mount and sticks, fine silver…

Fine Silver Filigree Fan Mount and Sticks

Fine silver filigree breeze fan mount and sticks, fine silver filigree brise fan mount and sticks

A 19th century ivory brise fan, the sticks with scalloped edges,…

Scalloped Ivory Brise Fan with Silk Tassel in Box

A 19th century ivory brise fan, the sticks with scalloped edges, and attached silk wrist tassle. Fan open: 37 x 21 cm. In silk lined box for 'P. Burgos Y Cia/ Buenos Aires'.

A 19th century Continental ivory brise fan, painted with…

Ivory Violet Painted Brise Fan with Blue Sash

A 19th century Continental ivory brise fan, painted with violets to one side, the other plain, ivory ring with long blue silk sash. Width open: 40 x 23 cm.

Five small late 19th/early 20th century black sequinned folding…

Set of Five Black Sequinned Folding Fans

Five small late 19th/early 20th century black sequinned folding fans, each with a sequin design on gauze, one with folding mechanism, length 18 - 22 cm. (5)

A 19th century French folding fan, with carved ivory sticks and…

19th Century French and English Fans

A 19th century French folding fan, with carved ivory sticks and guards, heightened in gilt, with a painted silk leaf of a courting couple amongst scrolling floral work, fan open: 35 cm x 19 cm. Together with a late 19th century English fan, the leaf…

A group of late 19th/Early 20th century French fans, including…

French Fans Collection, Late 19th/Early 20th Century

A group of late 19th/Early 20th century French fans, including a hand painted brise fan, a painted and printed pink satin leaf fan with ivory sticks and guards, a plain ivory and bone example, and a smaller satin and sequin example with bone sticks and…

Four late 19th century black hand fans, the first ribbon work…

Late 19th Century Black Hand Fans (Set of 4)

Four late 19th century black hand fans, the first ribbon work with carved black sticks and guards, fan open: 64 x 35 cm; the second black satin leaf with white painted flowers, fan open: 66 x 35 cm; third painted with blossom and a monogram, open: 55 x 31…

Four souvenir paper hand fans, the first from the Eiffel Tower…

Collection of Vintage Souvenir Hand Fans

Four souvenir paper hand fans, the first from the Eiffel Tower 1889, open: 60 x 33 cm; the second from the Hotel Oriental at Kobe, each fold with signature of guests dated 1903, open: 41 x 26 cm; the third 'Toute Femme Elegante', printed by V. Espi, Paris…

Three Victorian ostrich feather fans, one with carved ivory…

Victorian Ostrich Feather Fans with Ivory and Tortoiseshell Spines

Three Victorian ostrich feather fans, one with carved ivory spines, and two with tortoiseshell. Fan height: 35 cm approx. (3)

A 19th century French mother of pearl and silk fan, the leaf…

Romantic French Mother of Pearl Fan with Cherubs

A 19th century French mother of pearl and silk fan, the leaf painted with romantic scenes of a couple and cherubs, applied sequins, the finely pierced and carved mother of pearl sticks heightened in gilt and the guards with cherubs and cornucopia. Fan…

A 19th century ivory brise fan, the sticks with scalloped edges,…

19th Century Ivory Brise Fan with Silk Tassel and Box

A 19th century ivory brise fan, the sticks with scalloped edges, and attached silk wrist tassle. Fan open: 37 x 21 cm. In silk lined box for 'P. Burgos Y Cia/ Buenos Aires'.

A large and impressive ostrich feather fan, with mother of…

Mother of Pearl Ostrich Feather Fan

A large and impressive ostrich feather fan, with mother of pearl sticks. Length to tip of feathers: 60 cm.

A Victorian novelty fan, the centre adorned with a hummingbird…

Victorian Hummingbird Feather Fan

A Victorian novelty fan, the centre adorned with a hummingbird on white feathers, the reverse with a floral design made from further irridescent feathers, carved mother of pearl handle, circa 1870s. Height: 35 cm.

A framed antique hand painted fan with parrots and blossoms,…

Antique Parrot Fan Painting

A framed antique hand painted fan with parrots and blossoms, 19th century, 41 x 44 cm overall

Two vintage ostrich feather fans

Vintage Ostrich Feather Fans Pair

Two vintage ostrich feather fans

Two 19th century European fans, framed in probably bone, silver…

Antique European Fans: Lace and Metal Framed Treasures

Two 19th century European fans, framed in probably bone, silver metal, needlework and lace.

A framed tortoise shell and peacock feather Art Deco fan, width…

Art Deco Fan with Tortoise Shell and Peacock Feather

A framed tortoise shell and peacock feather Art Deco fan, width 71 cm

An antique fan, pearl shell and lace with hand-painted scene…

Hand-painted Antique Fan with Pearl and Lace Detailing

An antique fan, pearl shell and lace with hand-painted scene signed 'Simone', 19th century, 25 cm high, 45 cm wide

An antique French fan, carved ivory with hand-painted scene,…

19th Century French Ivory Fan with Hand-painted Scene

An antique French fan, carved ivory with hand-painted scene, signed lower right (illegible), early 19th century, 19 cm high, 32 cm wide

Tortoiseshell fan, length 27 cm

27 cm Tortoiseshell Fan

Tortoiseshell fan, length 27 cm

An antique fan, mother of pearl and lace with gilded highlights…

Scottish Antique Mother of Pearl Fan in Silk Box

An antique fan, mother of pearl and lace with gilded highlights in original silk lined box bearing Scottish retailer's label, 19th century, the fan 25 cm high, 45 cm wide

Collection six various decorative fans including: two various…

Eclectic Decorative Fan Collection

Collection six various decorative fans including: two various Spanish fans; a Balinese batik fa; and three various Oriental paper folding fans.

A celluloid fretwork fan 19th century (slight A/F) length 16 cm

19th Century Celluloid Fretwork Fan - A/F

A celluloid fretwork fan 19th century (slight A/F) length 16 cm

Collection vintage ivory miscellaneous pieces including: early…

Vintage Ivory Collection

Collection vintage ivory miscellaneous pieces including: early feather decorated hand held fan; carved ivory bead necklace; carved ivory needle case; and a carved ivory finial piece; and scene.

A black satin lady's fan, late 19th century, decorated with…

Cockatoo Satin Fan in Timber Frame

A black satin lady's fan, late 19th century, decorated with cockatoos, leaves and flowers, house in a timber frame, 40 x 71 cm

A lady's fan, tortoise shell and ostrich feather, late 19th…

Tortoise and Feather Fan

A lady's fan, tortoise shell and ostrich feather, late 19th century, 21 cm high, 30 cm wide

Vintage mother of pearl & lace ladies fan with hand painted…

Hand-painted Floral Mother of Pearl Ladies Fan

Vintage mother of pearl & lace ladies fan with hand painted floral decoration

A hand painted fan, French, 19th century, decorated with a…

French 19th Century Hand Painted Nocturnal Garden Fan

A hand painted fan, French, 19th century, decorated with a nocturnal garden scene, within a velvet lined conforming glazed and gilded case, 29 x 55 cm (case size)

An antique ladies fan, mother of pearl with silk sequin…

19th Century Mother of Pearl Ladies Fan with Original Box

An antique ladies fan, mother of pearl with silk sequin embroidery, 19th century, with original box, 23 cm high, 40 cm wide

A most attractive late 19th century hand-painted silk fan, with…

Hand-painted silk fan with fishing scene, signed by artist

A most attractive late 19th century hand-painted silk fan, with ebonised gilt heightened guards and sticks with floral surrounded rivet and metal loop; the silk leaf painted with a scene of a mill stream and various fishing activities. Signed by the…

A ladies antique fan, finely crafted in tortoiseshell and hand…

Antique Handcrafted Tortoiseshell Fan in Original Box

A ladies antique fan, finely crafted in tortoiseshell and hand worked lace, in original box marked 'J. Duvelleroy by Appointment, London, 167 Regent Street. Eventails Artistiques, Modernes, Antiques Et Pour Mariage fans Repaired', 19th century, 35 cm high…

A 19th century Viennese opera fan, mother of pearl sticks with…

Viennese Opera Fan Display Frame

A 19th century Viennese opera fan, mother of pearl sticks with lace and painted decoration, set into a gilt and velvet display frame. 63 x 44 cm.

Abanicos Giner Spain hand made fan hand painted, blossom…

Hand-painted Blossom Decorated Lace Fan by Abanicos Giner Spain

Abanicos Giner Spain hand made fan hand painted, blossom decorated lace fan, with original label and packaging, height 30 cm.

Antique tortoiseshell & feather ladies fan

Tortoiseshell & Feather Fan for Ladies

Antique tortoiseshell & feather ladies fan

Peacock feather fan height 41 cm

Peacock Feather Fan: Elegant 41cm Height

Peacock feather fan height 41 cm

Edwardian pierced bone & silk ladies fan with hand painted…

Floral Hand-Painted Edwardian Ladies Fan

Edwardian pierced bone & silk ladies fan with hand painted floral decoration

Early European folding fan, c1,800-30s, with pierced shaped and…

Antique European Folding Fan with Pierced Bone Guards and Scene

Early European folding fan, c1,800-30s, with pierced shaped and metal inlaid bone guards and matching sticks with mother-of-pearl edged rivet and shaped metal loop suspending a tassel, the paper double mount printed and over painted with a scene of…

A framed French fan, 19th century, the fan with an abolone…

19th Century French Abalone Fan in Framed Display

A framed French fan, 19th century, the fan with an abolone inset bone handle, mounted open to reveal printed jovial scene of mother and children playing. Framed and glazed. The frame 32 cm x 54 cm x 4 cm

Victorian bone and lace fan, the sticks decorated with floral…

Victorian Bone and Lace Fan with Floral Motif and Box

Victorian bone and lace fan, the sticks decorated with floral motif, with original box, length 35 cm

Victorian mother of pearl lace opera fan, featuring mother of…

Victorian Mother of Pearl Lace Opera Fan

Victorian mother of pearl lace opera fan, featuring mother of pearl ribs with inlaid flower and foliage design, with original purchase history, length 27 cm

Victorian black lace fan, the sticks with a pierced fretted…

Victorian Black Lace Fan with Fretted Sticks, A/F

Victorian black lace fan, the sticks with a pierced fretted design, a/f, length 35 cm

Victorian papier mache hand fan black lacquered with hand…

Victorian Hand Fan with Floral Spray and Gilded Corners

Victorian papier mache hand fan black lacquered with hand painted floral spray and gilded corners on ebonised baluster handle, 23 cm width

Roman Reyes Obatala fan timber & paint, height 28 cm

Obatala Timber Fan: 28cm Height

Roman Reyes Obatala fan timber & paint, height 28 cm

An ostrich feather fan with resin staves

Resin-staved ostrich feather fan

An ostrich feather fan with resin staves

A miniature folding fan, carved whalebone and silk, early 19th…

Whalebone and Silk Miniature Folding Fan

A miniature folding fan, carved whalebone and silk, early 19th century, 7 cm high, 10.5 cm wide

A white ostrich feather fan, with pearlised sticks.

Pearlised Stick White Ostrich Feather Fan

A white ostrich feather fan, with pearlised sticks.

A pair of Italian white ceramic fan leaf pattern lamps with…

Italian Ceramic Fan Leaf Lamps with Shades (63cm)

A pair of Italian white ceramic fan leaf pattern lamps with shades, height 63 cm

Victorian hand made lace & mother of pearl fan in display frame

Victorian Lace Fan in Mother of Pearl Frame

Victorian hand made lace & mother of pearl fan in display frame

Early European hand painted ivory fan hand painted figures in a…

Hand Painted Ivory Fan in Gilded Frame

Early European hand painted ivory fan hand painted figures in a garden decoration, on ivory framed fan, enclosed in a gilded carved wood semicircular frame, diameter 57 cm frame.

Three fan leaves calligraphy & paintings ink and watercolour on…

Trilogy of Fan Leaves: Ink and Watercolour Calligraphy

Three fan leaves calligraphy & paintings ink and watercolour on paper

An early 20th century decorative carved bone and hand painted…

Carved Bone Fan with Biblical Scene

An early 20th century decorative carved bone and hand painted fan, opening to reveal a classical biblical figured scene, the sticks finely carved and painted, the box with gilt label detailed 'Ortell's Valencia', height 23 cm.

An outdoor folding fan style umbrella, height 210 cm, diameter…

Foldable Outdoor Fan Umbrella - 210cm Height, 170cm Diameter

An outdoor folding fan style umbrella, height 210 cm, diameter 170 cm

Edwardian fan, with black plum feathers on faux tortoise shell…

Plum Feathered Edwardian Fan

Edwardian fan, with black plum feathers on faux tortoise shell batons

Georgian hand painted silk fan, signed

Signed Georgian Silk Fan: Hand-Painted Beauty

Georgian hand painted silk fan, signed

Hand painted silk fan, signed F Houbron, birds

Signed Bird Fan on Hand-Painted Silk by F. Houbron

Hand painted silk fan, signed F Houbron, birds

An ornate ivory folding fan mounted in gilt box frame, 19th…

Ivory Fan in Gilt Frame with Original Box, 19th Century

An ornate ivory folding fan mounted in gilt box frame, 19th century, with original fan box as well, 55 cm across

Two antique bone fans one in an original boxes both damaged

Damaged Antique Bone Fans in Original Boxes

Two antique bone fans one in an original boxes both damaged

Two vintage ladies fans one with classical and gilt decoration,…

Vintage Ladies Fans: Classical and Lace Decoration

Two vintage ladies fans one with classical and gilt decoration, some repairs and the other with lace decoration

Antique tortoiseshell fan handpainted with flowers,

Flower-painted Tortoiseshell Fan

Antique tortoiseshell fan handpainted with flowers,

Antique hand painted folding fan, a/f, mounted in a gilt frame…

Antique Hand-Painted Folding Fan in Gilt Frame

Antique hand painted folding fan, a/f, mounted in a gilt frame 34 cm x 46 cm

Large antique mother of pearl fan, on in original box, fan in…

Antique Mother of Pearl Fan in Original Box (Poor Condition)

Large antique mother of pearl fan, on in original box, fan in poor condition

Three vintage wooden fans, on in original box (damage)

Vintage Wooden Fans with Original Box (Damaged)

Three vintage wooden fans, on in original box (damage)

Antique tortoiseshell fan with velvet cover,

Velvet-covered Tortoiseshell Fan

Antique tortoiseshell fan with velvet cover,

Bird of Paradise feather fan with ornate silver handle, late…

Ornate Bird of Paradise Feather Fan with Silver Handle

Bird of Paradise feather fan with ornate silver handle, late 19th century 42 cm high

A framed French painted silk and ivory fan, late 18th century,…

18th Century French Painted Silk and Ivory Fan in Frame

A framed French painted silk and ivory fan, late 18th century, the silk leaf with three painted reserves, the central one with a champetre, the other two scenes depicting musical cherubs. The remainder of the fan is decorated with panels of painted…

An early 20th century red stained ostrich feather fan and hat…

Red Ostrich Feather Fan and White Hat Adornment

An early 20th century red stained ostrich feather fan and hat adornment, the fan with faux tortoiseshell sticks (56 cm), the hat adornment of white long feathers with gilt and aluminium fittings. (38 cm).

Victorian well framed ladies fan with mother of pearl and lace,…

Victorian Mother of Pearl & Lace Hand Fan

Victorian well framed ladies fan with mother of pearl and lace, hand painted

Gold framed bone and silk fan with hand painted floral…

Floral Fan: Gold Frame, Bone & Silk

Gold framed bone and silk fan with hand painted floral decorations

Vintage ostrich feather fan comprising 20 ribs of ostrich…

Early 1900s Ostrich Feather Fan

Vintage ostrich feather fan comprising 20 ribs of ostrich feathers. Circa early 1900s.(Height 35 cm, width 50 cm, extended).

A beautiful souvenir fan showing the exhibition grounds with…

Eiffel Tower Souvenir Fan

A beautiful souvenir fan showing the exhibition grounds with the Eiffel Tower in the centre; blossoms and birds at right; signed Derose; back blank. 64 cm wide (when extended).

A beautiful souvenir fan showing the exhibition grounds with…

Paris Exhibition Fan

A beautiful souvenir fan showing the exhibition grounds with the Eiffel Tower in the foreground and on the back the Palace du Trocadero. 60 cm wide (when extended).

A 19th century mother of pearl and lace fan, a pair of Spanish…

Mother of Pearl Spanish Dancer Fan

A 19th century mother of pearl and lace fan, a pair of Spanish dancers painted to the middle of the lace, the bone sticks very skilfully joined to the mother of pearl, with ribbon and tassel, in original cream satin box. Length 32 cm. Provenance: The…

A 19th century ivory, lace and silk fan, the end sticks…

Brass and Gemstone Ivory Fan

A 19th century ivory, lace and silk fan, the end sticks overlaid with cut brass highlighted with enamels and set with turquoise and foil backed garnets, pinned by a decorative bale, some distress.

A 19th century mother of pearl and hand painted silk fan, the…

Hand-painted Mother of Pearl Fan with Brass Inlay

A 19th century mother of pearl and hand painted silk fan, the sticks pierced and inlaid with cut brass, pinned by a decorative gilt metal bale, the silk decorated with flowers, some distress.

A fine antique French folding fan, 18th century, a finely…

18th Century French Vellum Folding Fan with Silver Gilt Details

A fine antique French folding fan, 18th century, a finely decorated vellum fan with three romantic idylls in gouache colours to shaped reserves surrounded by spangles and arabesque decorated cream vellum, the exquisitely carved and pierced tortoiseshell…

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

Victorian Silk Fan with Hand Painted Frame

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

Victorian Hand-Painted Silk Fan in Ornate Frame

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

Antique French fan, carved ivory grills, hand painted figures…

Hand-painted French ivory fan with carved grills

Antique French fan, carved ivory grills, hand painted figures in landscape

Antique French fan, hand coloured figures in rural scene, hand…

Hand-painted French fan with rural scene and bone grills

Antique French fan, hand coloured figures in rural scene, hand coloured and painted ends, pierced and incised bone grills

Antique French XIX century fan, carved blonde horn, engraved in…

Gold-embroidered French horn fan from 19th century

Antique French XIX century fan, carved blonde horn, engraved in gold, embroidered tulle leaf gold grills

Antique French fan, XIXth century, pierced carved ivory grills,…

19th Century Hand-Colored Ivory Fan with Carved Grills

Antique French fan, XIXth century, pierced carved ivory grills, hand coloured engraved scene

Antique French fan, pierced engraved ivory grills, hand painted…

French Hand-Painted Ivory Fan with Metal Sequins

Antique French fan, pierced engraved ivory grills, hand painted & applied metal sequins

Antique French fan, hand painted printed gallante scene,…

French Gallante Fan with Carved Bone Grills

Antique French fan, hand painted printed gallante scene, pierced carved bone grills

Antique French fan 19th century, ivory grill, engraved and…

19th Century French Ivory Fan with Gallant Countryside Scene

Antique French fan 19th century, ivory grill, engraved and pierced lithograph paper, gallant scene in the country side

Antique French fan, hand painted fan, incised ivory grills

Hand-painted French fan with ivory grills

Antique French fan, hand painted fan, incised ivory grills

Antique French fan, pierced carved and painted grills, hand…

Exotic Lithographed French Fan with Carved Grills

Antique French fan, pierced carved and painted grills, hand coloured lithograph scene, with dancing females, exotic landscapes and musical trophies

Antique French fan, hand coloured, gallant scene, pierced and…

Jewelled Gallantry: Antique French Hand Fan

Antique French fan, hand coloured, gallant scene, pierced and jewelled grills

A cased fan painted with classical scene

Classical Fan Art

A cased fan painted with classical scene

Early 20th century French fan, set with two batons and fouteen…

French Mother of Pearl Fan with Gilt Decoration

Early 20th century French fan, set with two batons and fouteen sticks, in mother of pearl, with gilt decoration with silk fan painted with birds in flight, a/f, length 37 cm