Bris and folding fans can both have a gorge section. On a bris it is formed by the shaping of the fan's profile or can be created by painted or carved decoration. The gorge separates the fan into two distinct areas. The pair of outer sticks of the monture. They are generally stronger than the gorge sticks and extend the full length of the fan, i.e. the top of the leaf to the rivet area.
Guards give strength to the fan when in use and protect the leaves when folded.
The rivet area is the part of the fan which rests in the hand when the fan is open. A rivet passes through the head of the fan, allowing the fan to articulate into open and shut states. Leaf The leaf of a folding fan refers to the pleated arc made with radiating folds, of silk, paper, skin. Loop Many 19th-century fans are furnished with a loop. These are commonly of metal, but can also be of ivory or tortoiseshell, etc.