Beautiful Historical Fans – Please Vote!

Hello Lovelies!  Today I’d like to share with you a number of gorgeous historical fans, and ask your opinion on which you like the most…

Fan #1 – The Met,  early 19th c. French
Fan #2 – The Met, 1800-1809, French
Fan #3 – The Met, late 19th c. American or European
Fan #4 – The Met, early 19th c. European
Fan #5 – The Met, 18th c. French

 The interesting thing about fans from the 19th century is that a great many of them resemble fans of the 18th century.  There is a mix here, and perhaps it is a sin to say it, but couldn’t just one of these designs work for Georgian, Regency, and Victorian costuming?  Now, what do you think?  Please vote for your favorite(s) in the poll below…




11 Comments

  • Cassidy

    February 18, 2013 at 2:03 AM

    I included 3 in my vote, but I just wanted to add (not that it's important) that I love the sequined Neoclassical revival fans best when they're just sequined, without a picture.

    Also: exciting!

    Reply
  • AuntieNan

    February 18, 2013 at 2:17 AM

    I guess the image of the fans so indelibly that of France and the 17th and 18th century, that even moving forward it still feels anchored in that era. While I love the Victorian dark one, the 18th c one is all "sticks" and what sticks!!! They look to be ivory or bone, and beautifully proportioned.
    Great idea!
    Best,
    Auntie N

    Reply
  • Julie

    February 18, 2013 at 3:36 AM

    Those are ALL so beautiful, I kind of wanted to vote for them all… I did limit myself to the lightest ones though. For some reason in my head, fans should be light and fluffy not dark and sparkly.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    February 18, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    I love both 1 and 3. The shell on 3 is especially lovely.
    I'm not an expert on the different periods of fans, but I think size comes into play when one is considering using one fan for different eras. The early 19th c. fans were small-ish.

    Reply
  • Clare

    February 18, 2013 at 4:42 PM

    I have a particular love of fans and number 5 had it for me – it's all about the rococo curves! I do love the spangles on 3 and other similar designs I've seen, but I don't like the image on there so much.

    Reply
  • ZipZip

    February 18, 2013 at 5:45 PM

    Number 5! Because you can carry the 18th c design forward, but you can't make a 19th c design look truly 18th c. Other than perhaps fan #1, which might work for the 1790s, too.

    Very best,

    Natalie

    Reply

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