Fan, circa 1870. Printed and painted paper, mother of pearl, gold, silver, and copper metals, and mirror. Maker unknown. Gift of Mrs. Robert D. Graff. 1967.52.
Two-sided fan painted primarily in green, blue, and gray. Scene on one side depicts a wedding banquet set within a garden. Sixteenth-century period clothing is depicted. The other side is blank except for a gold line border.
The silent "language of the fan" gave women a means to flirt in a time when the culture of women was strictly choreographed and monitored. Touching the tip of her finger to her fan, for example, meant a woman wanted to speak to a gentleman; and placing her fan by her left ear meant she wanted the gentleman to leave. With such a visible role in courtship, fans often featured romantic scenes.
