The use of the fan could hide a lady's blushes, enhance the beauty of her eyes, focus attention on her perfectly manicured hands and even aid in her flirtations.
Using their fans was, apparently, a hard art to master, and young girls of the period would spend long hours in practise, often taught by their dance teachers and the books of instruction for young ladies and gentlemen common at this period.
The famous and prestigious French fan maker Maison Duvelleroy, had a printed book of instructions.
Here's a few
Carrying in right hand in front of face:
FOLLOW ME
Carrying in left hand in front of face:
DESIROUS OF ACQUAINTANCE
Placing it on left ear:
I WISH TO GET RID OF YOU
Drawing across the forehead: you have changed
swirling in left hand:
We ARE WATCHED
Carrying in right hand:
YOU ARE TOO WILLING
Drawing through the hand:
I HATE YOU
Twirling in right hand:
I LOVE ANOTHER
Drawing across the cheek:
I LOVE YOU
Presented shut:
DO YOU LOVE ME?
Presenting a number of sticks,
fan part opened: AT WHAT HOUR?
Touching the unfolded fan whilewaving:
I LONG TO BE NEAR YOU
Threaten with the shut fan:
DO NOT BE SO IMPRUDENT
Gazing pensively at the shut fan:
why DO YOU MISUNDERSTAND ME?
Pressing the half opened fan to the lips:
YOU MAY KISS ME
Clasping the hands under the open fan:
FORGIVE ME I PRAY YOU
Cover the left ear with the open fan:
DO NOT BETRAY OUR SECRET
Shut the fully opened fan very slowly:
I PROMISE TO MARRY you
The painted fans from Italy prized in the late
17th and early 18th Centuries were not only
practical and decorative. ``If conversation lagged,
you could always talk about the image on the fan,`
Fan painters took their themes from paintings and frescoes,
and such classical topics as the Rape of the Sabines and
Diana and Endymion provided plenty of food for talk.
17th and early 18th Centuries were not only
practical and decorative. ``If conversation lagged,
you could always talk about the image on the fan,`
Fan painters took their themes from paintings and frescoes,
and such classical topics as the Rape of the Sabines and
Diana and Endymion provided plenty of food for talk.
Posted by Yvonne @ La Petite Gallery
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