A Brief History of the Hand held Fan

Long before my silk fans were born, hand fans were being made and used across the world for thousands of years. From simple objects designed to create a cooling breeze to beautifully decorated pieces used in fashion, ceremony and art, the fan has travelled through centuries and cultures, always evolving along the way. I love the idea that the fans I create today are part of this much longer story, a modern take on an object with such a rich and fascinating history.  

Long before the folding fan we recognize today, people used simple handheld objects to create a breeze, made from materials such as leaves, feathers, woven grasses and fabric. Fans have been seen in cultures across the world, some of the earliest known fans date back thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, fans were used to keep cool and were often carried by attendants or used during ceremonies. Early fans were generally fixed open rather than folding, with a handle attached to a flat surface made from feathers, leaves or other lightweight materials. 

The folding fan was developed much later and became particularly popular in East Asia. In China and Japan, folding fans became more and more sophisticated objects of craftsmanship and art. Paper and silk was used to create beautiful surfaces for painting and decoration, while bamboo and other woods were used to create the delicate ribs and sticks that allowed the fan to glide open and close. 

From Asia, the folding fan made its way to Europe, where it became a fashionable accessory among the wealthy during the 16th and 17th centuries. By the 18th century, fans were no longer just something practical. We’ve seen many versions of elaborately decorated fans which could feature landscapes, flowers, romantic scenes and historical events. They develpoed to become a beautiful expression of personal taste and style.