Folding fan, painted black paper and bamboo, Hangzhou, ca. 1935
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1935
Fans were necessary accessories in western China in the 1930s, where the summer climate was hot and humid. During a wedding in Chongqing in August 1935 the chapel was filled with the humming of the fans as 200 guests tried hard to keep the heat at bay. Folding fan with stained bamboo sticks and guards and fan face of black paper with decorations painted in colours and stamped in gold and silver on both sides.
One one side, the central cartouche features two crabs and chrysanthemum, both symbolic of autumn season; bordered by squirrels alternating with stylised floral motifs in silver and gold, respectively. One the other side, the central cartouche features plum blossoms, lotus and orchid that are flanked by butterflies; bordered by butterflies alternating with floral roundels in gold and silver, respectively.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Wedding present given to two Scots, Lieut Tom Marchant and Robina Bookless, who got married in Chongqing, west China, in 1935.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Paper; printed in colours, gold and silver; bamboo
- Dimensions
- Height: 16.5 cm; Width: 22 cm
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Hangzhou
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- 杭州晋興榮出品; 正牌杭扇 / 認明本號
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O152404
- Museum object name
- Fan
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- FE.591-2007
- Museum system number
- O152404
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.