Featured At least I have one fan...

Keywords? Age? Thanks!

 

Oh No You Di'nt ....we are all FANS of yours !!

 

The main section with the colored scene is paper. The edges and the bottom support (the off white w/brown and black decoration) is a very thin wood --almost like balsa wood.

 

Thinking this is a vintage fan of minimal value, but thought I'd check before listing. It also has tiny round silver decorative additions on the paper section --not sure what to call them, kind of like a flat silver bead. (Note: Some might be missing.)

I was a bit surprised to see this at GW ($1.99) but maybe wasn't such a great deal afterall. It was with 3 other very plain looking older fans which I passed on.

Looking under "sold fans" on Ebay, wow is there ever a spread. Some pretty amazing looking ones selling for around $12-15, then a big gap with nothing, then truly antique high-end ones from $300- up until the thousands. You really need to know what is what.

 

I certainly am.

Your fan dates from the second half of the 19th century, possibly even ca. 1900.
They started making these 18th century-inspired fans ca. 1845, but judging from the style of painting this one is much later. But still antique.
The tiny round silver beads are simply called sequins, they were put on fans for evening wear, because they would reflect candlelight beautifully. It doesn't matter that much that there are a few missing.
The early sequins were tiny solid discs, the later sequins were more like modern ones, with a hole in the centre. Here is an example of the early sequins, on a ca. 1810 Dutch blonde horn brisé fan. As you can see, a few are missing on this one too. The blue sequin is a modern one, just for comparison.

 

Just wanted to add that the scene is Rococo-inspired but not quite true in sensibility. (Notice the Victorian bustle-like effect to the dress on the right.)

Debora

 

Thank you, Any Jewelry! Was hoping you'd take a look. What a detailed response. Much appreciated.

I was racking my brain to find a word for those little disks. As soon as I read "sequins" from your post, "Aha!" And the sequins on mine also do not have a hole in the middle, maybe what threw me off. Makes sense that they were added to reflect candlelight, they are shiny and would reflect for sure.

I learned quite a bit. I think fans are a tricky collectible in a way. I they are so decorative that the average person would think, "Gosh, this must be worth something...." so you usually don't see them turn up at thrifts too often.

Also Debora, thanks for the note on the the scene. Guessing that the artist switched things up for effect.

 

Anytime Lucille. Here is a site to feast your eyes on:
http://www.fancircleinternational.org/

 

Wonderful! I really enjoyed the site. Thank you!