Fans, Walking Sticks, Parasols, and Umbrellas

In this section of the textile website, accessories carried in the hands are explored. During the Victorian through Edwardian period and even up to the 30’s, fans, walking sticks, and parasols were meant  to aid and adorn the proper woman or man of society.

Handheld fans were practical especially in the south before the invention of air conditioning but were also used to enhance an outfit, and  sometimes to communicate wordless messages to those of the opposite sex across the room. Parasols also were practical, shading the user from the harsh sun to keep cooler while protecting the stylish fair skin from tanning; however,  it also afforded a palette for lace, frills, design, and individualized style in which one could complement an outfit to frame her face. While parasols were used for woman, walking sticks were carried for gentlemen’s outerwear. Although these might have had a practical side for security in footing as well as fending off small animals or brush from the path, they too became a pallet for design and necessary accessory to the gentleman’s attire.

The museum has only a few examples of these types accessories within the Edwardian period. However, more “modern” examples of less elaborate fans exist in the museum’s collection including fans made from wood, reed, and/or fronds and are sometimes printed with advertisements for local businesses. The museum also has a collection of paper fans printed with a variety of subjects ranging from inspiring Biblical scenes to advertisements; however, they are not included here since they are considered part of the document collection.

 

Fans

Handheld Fan with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

2005-002-06 TB 49 R4Sc1 Jennifer Altman Collection

This handheld fan measures  8 ½” long x 15 ¼” wide when open and boasts 4 ¼ inches of  elaborate gold  and mother-of-pearl decorated wood slats extending from closure rivet and a silver metal horseshoe attachment.  The  4 ¼ inch black silk ground is decorated with a hand painted floral design with copper/ gold accents on floral and leaves  and  section has an 1/8” gold edging. The  mother-of-pearl overlay on wood exterior edges adds the finishing touches.

 

 

Handheld Fan: Brown Silk and Feathers
2005-002-028 R1Sc2 Jennifer Altman Collection
Brown silk and Feathers ladies fan  25″x13″ The wood sticks on this fan are wide and support the silk leaf with attached feathers. The fan has a metal u shaped loop that attaches to the rivet. This loop might have been further decorated at one time with a tassel.

 

Handheld Fan Round
2005-002-05 R1Sc2 Jennifer Altman Collection
Brown handheld fan has wooden sticks and a paper leaf with white painted flowers.

 

TB 49 UNK #7 Paper fan with decorative support sticks with tassel attached to metal rivet

TB49 UNK #8 Paper fan with painted pink flowers

Black Folding Parasol  78-193-07, 78-203 TB49 R1Sc2 

Marie Crockett Collection

This black silk parasol is 28 Inches long from end to end and made with a folding handle into a twisted shape. (A metal cap locks over the joint when extended. ) It opens to 17 inches wide and the underside reveals a sheered black silk with an inner circle only 4 inches in circumference. The edges are treated with a scallop edge and the tip is decorated with a 1 5/8 sateen silk bow also in black.

 

TB 49 White Parasol

UNK #6, White parasol       

Parasol is 37” long, cotton outer canopy 23″ long,  wooden handle 13″ long is the natural shape of the branch.  1” wide ruffle accents the ferrule, 4 ¾” open weave gauze-like ruffle on lower edge pf outer canopy, 3 ¼’ cutwork lace inset positioned 1 ¼” above ruffle seam stitching