Or one might choose to collect examples of one type of lace. A great many fans were made of Point de Gaze, Brussels, and Bruges bobbin laces, as well as Chantilly. It is also possible to put together a collection of just one type of lace. Among the laces that most often appear as fan leaves, the collector may seek out the more unusual pairings of lace and sticks. But be sure it is an attractive pairing - a curiosity for its own sake may be difficult to resell.
Condition is perhaps one of the most crucial considerations in evaluating a fan for purchase.
Fan repair is extremely difficult, and can be exasperating. Restoring antique lace fans requires specialized knowledge of sticks of all materials, as well as laces of all kinds. Looking at a few badly repaired fans will make a believer of the most ambitious collector. Art Nouveau lace from the late nineteenth through the very early twentieth century has it all. They were by definition designer laces.