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Fans
Fans II
Fans III
Vechten
Mt. Fuji
People tend to think of fans as fragile, frivolous accessories wielded by women, yet the origin of the fan was no doubt highly practical. Early man may have used it to winnow his grain, shoo flies, and cool his brow. This simple tool eventually became a symbol of power: ancient lore maintains that Emperor Hsien Yuan (ca. 2697 BC) used fans; the tomb of Egypt's Tutankhamen (1350 BC) yielded two ostrich feather fans with gold mounts. Fans also began to assume religious significance and were used to whisk flies from altars. Early Christians recognized the practicality of this practice and included a flabellum, or fixed fly-whisk, in their early services. Meanwhile, the Chinese and Japanese continued to use fans in their courts, often incorporating precious materials such as ivory, gold, and jade.
Until the seventh century AD, fans were non-folding. Then, according to Japanese legend, Emperor Jen-ji noticed the logic of a bat's folded wings and applied his insight to a new fan design. Later, European traders returned from the East with samples of these wonders. By the sixteenth century, sophisticated Italian women had appropriated the fans, which soon became de rigeur throughout Europe. Now primarily feminine fashion accessories, their styles changed to complement the ever-changing dress styles. Fans' popularity led to experimentation in their production and merchandising. They also became popular as a way for artists to test their skills -- a fan leaf's curved, folded surface offers challenges in perspective.
World War I was the end of slower eras; the 1920's raced at a frenetic pace. The modern woman set aside her ubiquitous fan, freeing both hands to drive her roadster or carry her political banner. Fans became more an advertising tool than a fashion statement.
The Hammond's collection:
Little is known about Lavinia Mockridge. A newspaper reporter researching her life found little information to add to what the Hammond already knew: Ms. Mockridge worked as a public librarian and lived in a small apartment in Manhattan. Above all, she retained what must have been a life long interest in fans, becoming especially partial to several distinct types: brisé, novelty, lithograph, feather, lace, and the balloon/fontange shapes. After Ms. Mockridge's death, her nephew donated her fans to the Hammond, where they form the nucleus of an ever growing collection. click here for more information on Mandarin Fans The fans are displayed on occasion in rotation with the Museum's temporary exhibits.
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