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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A fan, tortoiseshell and black lace, circa 1900 Having…

Melba's Lace Fan with Inscription "Nellie"

A fan, tortoiseshell and black lace, circa 1900 Having tortoiseshell slats, interleaved with ruffled black lace, with the last slat bearing the inscription "Nellie" in raised rose gold Provenance: presented by Dame Nellie Melba to Emmy…

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 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

A pair of 19th century hand painted and gilt metal mounted…

19th Century Hand Painted Mother of Pearl Fans in Gilt Frames

A pair of 19th century hand painted and gilt metal mounted mother of pearl fans each housed within a gilt wood box frame, painted with courtly scenes, each frame 31 cm high, 51 cm wide

A finely painted and gilded mother of pearl fan, French, circa…

Gilded French Mother of Pearl Fan in Frame

A finely painted and gilded mother of pearl fan, French, circa 1850, within a carved and gilded fan shaped frame, the frame 33 cm high, 58 cm wide

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)

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…

A decorative box framed painted and gilt fan, the frame 43 cm…

Gilt-framed Fan Box: Decorative Art Piece

A decorative box framed painted and gilt fan, the frame 43 cm wide

Ivory fan, the front with applied very well carved floral…

Exquisite Ivory Fan with Intricate Floral Carvings

Ivory fan, the front with applied very well carved floral decoration

Tortoiseshell fan, length 27 cm

27 cm Tortoiseshell Fan

Tortoiseshell fan, length 27 cm

Antique ivory & silk fan, with handpainted & signed floral…

Handpainted Floral Ivory & Silk Fan

Antique ivory & silk fan, with handpainted & signed floral decoration

A framed ivory fan with a mounted ivory fan, English, 19th…

19th Century English Ivory Fan with Frame

A framed ivory fan with a mounted ivory fan, English, 19th century

Ivory carved 19th century fan with mother of pearl & gilt inlay…

19th Century Ivory Carved Fan in Glass Case

Ivory carved 19th century fan with mother of pearl & gilt inlay & depicting a classical scene of Judith & Holofernes in a timber glass front wall mounted case. Length of case 61.5 cm

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.

A boxed ivory fan with pierced decoration.

Pierced Ivory Fan in Box

A boxed ivory fan with pierced decoration.

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 cased fan painted with classical scene

Classical Fan Art

A cased fan painted with classical scene

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 Continental mother-of-pearl and gilt decoration, ladies fan,…

Mother-of-Pearl Ladies Fan with Courting Couple Lithograph

A Continental mother-of-pearl and gilt decoration, ladies fan, late 19th century, hand painted lithograph depicting courting couple, with retailers box: August Timm, Juwelier, Hamburg

A French mother-of-pearl and Brussels lace fan, circa 1880s,…

Belle Epoque Mother-of-Pearl and Lace Fan

A French mother-of-pearl and Brussels lace fan, circa 1880s, the belle epoque folding fan with mother-of-pearl sticks and ivory supports for the delicate cream floral Belgian lace, with a cream silk tassel, width 56 cm

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.

A pair of painted early 20th century French fan having figures…

French Fans with Traditional and Floral Designs

A pair of painted early 20th century French fan having figures in traditional costume and the other painted with floral decoration 41 x 73 cm.

An Oriental ivory brise fan and a bone letter opener. Mid 20th…

Ivory Fan and Elephant Letter Opener Set

An Oriental ivory brise fan and a bone letter opener. Mid 20th century. The folding fan with each stick crisply pierced with patterns and typically joined with a running ribbon; the small letter opener with a row of carved and pierced elephants and an…

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

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.

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

Antique French mother of pearl fan, approx 26 cm high

French Mother of Pearl Fan - Antique

Antique French mother of pearl fan, approx 26 cm high

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.

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

A Georgian double-sided painted fan, English, 19th century

Georgian Double-Sided Painted Fan, 19th Century

A Georgian double-sided painted fan, English, 19th century

A pair of framed painted French fans. 19th century, painted…

19th Century French Painted Fan Pair in Frames

A pair of framed painted French fans. 19th century, painted with figures. 26 cm high, 49 cm wide deep.

Fine antique French mother of pearl fan, approx 24 cm high

Antique French Mother of Pearl Fan - 24cm Height

Fine antique French mother of pearl fan, approx 24 cm high

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

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

A signed French painted bone brise fan, late 19th to early 20th…

French Painted Bone Brise Fan with Cherubs and Roses

A signed French painted bone brise fan, late 19th to early 20th century, the dainty fan, laced with ribbon and painted to one face with cherubs contemplating a garland of roses, signed indistinctly to one of the sticks. Width 34.5 cm.

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…

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

Victorian Hand-Painted Silk Fan in Ornate Frame

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

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

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

Victorian Silk Fan with Hand Painted Frame

Framed Victorian hand painted silk fan

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 fine antique French bone and handpainted paper fan, early…

Antique French Handpainted Fan with Classical Scenes

A fine antique French bone and handpainted paper fan, early 19th century, exquisitely painted with scenes of classical maidens dancing and making music around a central reclining figure and flanked by arabesques and floral garlands, the bone sticks with…

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.

An exquisitely carved ivory fan, decorated with a floral boquet…

Floral Ivory Fan with BR Initials

An exquisitely carved ivory fan, decorated with a floral boquet of roses daffodils and violets, central initialed cartouche BR, length 23 cm

A vintage Oriental ivory Brise fan, the fan with pierced sticks…

Vintage Oriental Ivory Brise Fan - 23cm Length

A vintage Oriental ivory Brise fan, the fan with pierced sticks united by a woven white ribbon. Length 23 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

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 framed Victorian painted needlework fan with mother-of-pearl,…

Victorian Needlework Fan with Mother-of-Pearl Frame

A framed Victorian painted needlework fan with mother-of-pearl, case 46 cm high, 77 cm wide

A black lacquer and gilt brise fan with original blue thread,…

Gilt Pagoda Brise Fan

A black lacquer and gilt brise fan with original blue thread, 19th century, a rounded top and tapering sticks and guards, painted with pagodas and foliage on each side in layers gold decoration with red lacquer highlights, height 20 cm, width 30 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

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

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

Tim Goodchild, (20th century), Ko Ko + Ko Ko and Nanki Poo,…

Mikado Costume Designs by Tim Goodchild

Tim Goodchild, (20th century), Ko Ko + Ko Ko and Nanki Poo, costume designs for the Mikado, Sydney opera house 1985 (2), gouache and ink, each signed and dated lower right, 22.5 x 43.5 cm fan, 32 x 27.5 cm. Provenance: The collection of Ron O'Mullane OAM…

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.

An ivory fan with pierced decoration

Pierced Ivory Fan

An ivory fan with pierced decoration

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

Antique mother of pearl ladies fan, Duvelleroy (London & Paris),…

Antique Mother of Pearl Ladies Fan with Original Box

Antique mother of pearl ladies fan, Duvelleroy (London & Paris), circa 1860, with original box, some early repairs

Two framed fans, English, 19th century

English 19th Century Framed Fans

Two framed fans, English, 19th century

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

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

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.

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, hand coloured, gallant scene, pierced and…

Jewelled Gallantry: Antique French Hand Fan

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

Hand fan. Mother of pearl handle, hand painted depicting…

Angel Scene Hand Fan with Mother of Pearl Handle

Hand fan. Mother of pearl handle, hand painted depicting angelic scene of two young ladies seated, surrounded by four cupids & two doves, linked by a floral garland, late 19th century, width 54 cm

An interesting hand painted lace fan in carved frame. 59 cm…

Hand-painted lace fan in carved frame

An interesting hand painted lace fan in carved frame. 59 cm high, 93 cm wide

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 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…

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

Victorian mother of pearl fan with hand painted floral detail,…

Victorian Mother of Pearl Fan in Framed Floral Detail

Victorian mother of pearl fan with hand painted floral detail, in a frame. Dimensions of frame. 81 x 53 cm

1937 swan feather and mother of pearl fan

Swan Feather Fan with Mother of Pearl

1937 swan feather and mother of pearl fan

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

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

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

French 19th century ivory & silk fan in box, hand painted with…

19th Century Hand-Painted Ivory Fan in Silk Box

French 19th century ivory & silk fan in box, hand painted with a female holding a bird, overall length approx 30 cm. Box in cream silk and hand painted with pink, yellow and white flowers, green stalks and leaves. J. Duvelleroy, by appointment 167 Regent…

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 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.

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)

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

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, 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

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

Vintage tortoiseshell fan

Antique Tortoiseshell Fan

Vintage tortoiseshell fan

An antique Belgian lace and ivory fan, 19th century, the…

Belgian Lace Ivory Fan, 19th Century

An antique Belgian lace and ivory fan, 19th century, the folding fan with ivory sticks engraved and highlighted in gilt and with tiny dots of silver inlay, height 21.5 cm, width 41 cm

Antique hand painted silk and sequin fan, depicting a courting…

"Courting Scene" Fan

Antique hand painted silk and sequin fan, depicting a courting scene

Antique French Fabrique D'Eventails lace fan with mother of…

French Lace Fan with Mother of Pearl Fittings

Antique French Fabrique D'Eventails lace fan with mother of pearl fittings, 35 cm high

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

Antique tortoiseshell fan with velvet cover,

Velvet-covered Tortoiseshell Fan

Antique tortoiseshell fan with velvet cover,

Mid 19th century French cased fan, in tortoise shell with…

French Tortoise Shell Fan with Silver Pique and Lace Brocade

Mid 19th century French cased fan, in tortoise shell with silver pique work to the batons and pierced sticks united by eru handmade lace brocade

Framed Victorian mother of pearland lace fan, width 57 cm approx

Victorian Mother of Pearl Lace Fan

Framed Victorian mother of pearland lace fan, width 57 cm approx

Framed lace fan 63 cm wide

Lace Fan Frame - 63cm Wide

Framed lace fan 63 cm wide

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

Georgian Papier-Mâche fan. Georgian Papier-Mâché…

Georgian Mother of Pearl Fan

Georgian Papier-Mâche fan. Georgian Papier-Mâché fan having mother of pearl detail on a a gilded timber turned handle. Condition fair, loose handle & some losses to the mother of pearl. Length 37 cm