Fan

Fan

Object name: Fan
Date: 1850-1880
Medium: Goose feather, wood
Object number: TN03574
DescriptionYu Maou Shen (Yu Mao Shan) or lady's feather fan. Fans such as this one were used not only for cooling oneself but also as an important fashion accessory. Feather fans play an important part in China's cultural heritage and were first attested in the Shang dynasty (1600-1100BC). The feathers for the fan had to be picked from both wings of the same bird in order to provide symmetry to the fan.