Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Unfolding Pictures: A Victorian Bridesmaid’s Fan, 1854-1887

Fan with paper lead and gilded wooden sticks and guards.
Made, 1854.  Given again in 1887.
The Victoria & Albert Museum
 

Amongst a group of Victorian wedding dress accessories, this miniature fan was discovered. The superb little fan—perfect for a young woman or girl to carry--is believed to have been given as a wedding favor for a bridesmaid at a 1887 ceremony.
This fan is a rare survival.  Usually fans of this size were made for children and were, therefore, roughly used and ultimately ruined.  The fan features a painted paper leaf with a scene of courtship and simple wooden sticks and guards. 
The sticks and guards have been gilded to match the gilt detail of the leaf which is further adorned with small metal spangles and sequins attached by shimmering gold wire.   The reverse of the leaf is an elegant, but unadorned tan paper flecked with gold leaf.

This dear object is associated with the wedding of one Elizabeth Wroughton Richards to the Reverend Andrew Nugee on August 8, 1854.  It was used as a wedding favor, again, in 1887 at the marriage of the Nugee’s son.


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