Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
This ornate folded fan is embellished with sequins and beads, similar to hand fans of European fashion. Donated by Ella Larson Nossaman.
Simple fans were made by stretching nylon over a wire form and attaching a handle.
Many commercially made fans at the beginning of the 20th century included feathers mounted upon mother of pearl. This particular fan has a floral scene painted on the feathers.
Handmade paper fans remain an easy craft no matter the weather.
Regular readers of Archival Anecdotes will likely have noticed that the Eddy County Museum has a healthy collection of fashion accessories.
Folks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were undoubtedly influenced by both Victorian and Edwardian fashion, even way out on the prairie. From hat pins to handbags, there are an estimated 200 artifacts in the museum related to fashion.
Is the fan where fashion meets function? Anyone who has ever sat in the still air on a warm day knows the relief a small fan can deliver.
The earliest use of hand fans occurred in Egypt in 4000 BCE. There is also archaeological evidence that fans had practical and sacred uses among the ancient Hebrews, Greeks and Romans. Eventually the hand fan made its appearance in Japanese and Chinese artwork. The fashion of the fan was adopted by Europeans in the 17th century, and soon extravagant hand fans were a must-have accessory among Europe's most prestigious women.
As American tradition would have it, the design of fans relied on elements of flora and fauna, rather than gold and glitter.
That was until the early 20th century, when advertisers saw the potential of fans to deliver a message. In their perspective, fans offered an inexpensive way to promote restaurants, hotels, shops and anything else a person could imagine. At right, a paper fan boasts an advertisement of Putnam Fadeless Dyes and Tints.
It seems the hand fan may have waved out of style, but don't fret. There's bound to be some other way to keep cool.
